why are heart cells impacted by cyanide
1 Cyanide prevents the cells of the body from using oxygen. 2  When this happens, the cells die. 3  Cyanide is more harmful to the heart and brain than to other organs because the heart and brain use a lot of oxygen. Cyanide gas is less dense than air; so it will rise. 2  Cyanide prevents the cells of the body from using oxygen. 3  When this happens, the cells die. 4  Cyanide is more harmful to the heart and brain than to other organs because the heart and brain use a lot of oxygen.