Quote Originally Posted by TheAtomicPunk
Snap dude, 168? That's fucking insane, gym teacher in 9th grade said a heart rate of 180 = death :O (Sorry for posting twice)
For a short period of time, such as exercising (people can get anywhere from 120-180 bpm with exercising) 180 will not kill you, under normal and healthy circumstances. However, if you heart rate is 180+ for an extended period of time, say during a cardiac episode (heart attack, atrial fib, or ventricular fib), or an overdose of a particularly dangerous drug, yes, it very well may damage your heart to the point of cardiac arrest, or death.

The increase of bpm during smoking is usually within the same range as moderate cardio exercise, and unless you have pre existing heart issues, it shouldn't be much of a problem. If it were, everyone at gyms would be collapsing over with heart attacks