ELi5: Why is there a high risk of dying after days of inhaling smoke?

Question

I read somewhere years ago that there is a high chance of dying even after days when inhaling smoke. A friend of my mother’s was in the hospital due to inhaling smoke after their house caught fire. He was in the hospital for a few weeks and he was cleared to go home 4 days ago.

Why is there such a high chance of dying even after days and days of inhaling smoke?

In: Biology

Answer 1

The smoke can damage your lungs, causing you to not get enough oxygen, which can lead to a heart attack and death.