Final answer:
Yes, the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) increases with the number of cigarettes smoked, leading to greater chances of heart attack and stroke as well as other health issues such as cancer, COPD, and weakened immune systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
The risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) does increase with the number of cigarettes smoked. Tobacco smoking affects the cardiovascular system by causing immediate responses such as an increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure. The presence of carbon monoxide in tobacco smoke significantly reduces the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity. Moreover, smoking leads to blood vessel narrowing and weakening, while also increasing substances that contribute to blood clotting, which markedly elevates the risk of heart attack and stroke. Therefore, the more cigarettes an individual smokes, the higher the compounded risks to their heart and blood vessels, intensifying the overall CVD risk.
Additionally, beyond cardiovascular issues, tobacco smoke contains carcinogens that increase the risk of lung cancer and other types of cancer, and contributes to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Other health risks include high blood pressure, blood clots, and a host of additional conditions such as erectile dysfunction, female infertility, and slow wound healing. Smoking also makes individuals, particularly those who consume more than 20 cigarettes a day, more susceptible to infectious diseases due to compromised respiratory and immune systems.