What about smoking causes the blood clot risk?

[Jen♀]

I go to a school where smoking is very common. It's hard to leave my dorm or go to a school building without having to walk through a crowd of smokers. One of my roommates smokes and when we're out together walking he will sometimes smoke a cigarette next to me. I know it is very detrimental for trans women in particular to smoke because of the blood clotting. But is it the smoke itself that is harmful, or is it the nicotine in the tobacco? Is the smoke harmful if it is not inhaled into the lungs?

[LordKAT]

It is my understanding that second hand smoke is not good either.   The part that causes or increases blood clot risk I don't know about.

[Ms Grace]

Smoking raises the risk of unwanted blood clots and makes it more likely that platelets will stick together. Smoking also damages the lining of the blood vessels, which can cause clots to form.

Understand Your Risk for Excessive Blood Clotting

Yes, second hand smoke can apparently have similar effects. Seems to be a few medical articles around the web that confirms this.

[Seras]

It is mostly the nicotine which constricts your veins and arteries far as I am aware. I wouldn't worry about a little second hand smoke in the open air. If you were in a tiny room with no ventilation, or a car with the windows closed, then maybe it would matter. 

[LizMarie]

Here is a long detailed explanation of what cigarette smoke does including how it affects clotting, from the National Institute of Health.

How Does Smoking Affect the Heart and Blood Vessels?

[kariann330]

It is mostly the nicotine which constricts your veins and arteries far as I am aware.

I think it's funny how Caffeine and every other stimulant, weather natural or not, has the same reaction to the body, yet we aren't told to stop drinking our coffee or tea, stop drinking soda, try to change from a stimulant based medication, or even stop eating chocolate.

Idk what really causes it, but just a little food for thought, if the risk was so high, why is it that cis women on birth control who smoke, not constantly getting a DVT?

[skin]

I think it's funny how Caffeine and every other stimulant, weather natural or not, has the same reaction to the body, yet we aren't told to stop drinking our coffee or tea, stop drinking soda, try to change from a stimulant based medication, or even stop eating chocolate.

Just because they are all stimulants, doesn't mean they are exactly the same - they don't even use the same receptors.  Nicotine has a much higher toxicity than caffeine.  It can also cause atherosclerosis.  Avoiding/limiting caffeine is suggested for those at risk for DVT as well, nicotine is just higher up on the danger list.

Idk what really causes it, but just a little food for thought, if the risk was so high, why is it that cis women on birth control who smoke, not constantly getting a DVT?

DVT is one of the highest concerns with birth control.  They even make estrogen-free pills to reduce the risk.  The risk is higher with transgender HRT because the dosage is much higher than birth control.