What does carbon monoxide do inside my body?

When you inhale cigarette smoke into your lungs carbon monoxide attaches to your red blood cells. 

• The carbon monoxide attached to your red blood cells blocks oxygen from attaching to the red blood cells.
• When oxygen cannot attach to your red blood cells, your body cannot get the oxygen it needs from your blood. 
• The more you smoke, the more carbon monoxide is attached to your red blood cells.  
• The more carbon monoxide in your blood, the harder your heart has to work to pump oxygen around your body.