There are many chemical components found in cigarette smoke and most of them are harmful to human health. Carbon monoxide is a harmful gas smoker’s inhale while smoking. Once it enters the lungs, it’s transferred to the bloodstream. Carbon monoxide decreases the amount of oxygen that is carried in the red blood cells. It also increases the amount of cholesterol that is deposited into the inner lining of the arteries which, over time, can cause the arteries to harden. This leads to heart disease, artery disease and possibly heart attack. Listen to the expert in this episode on The Benefits of Quitting Smoking.