Smoking And High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Is There A Connection?

Need to know how are smoking and high blood pressure related? Read this guide to learn about why to quit smoking in hypertension and how it affects your health.

Quick Summary

• Numerous factors lead to high blood pressure, with obesity and cigarette being two of the most common.
• Smoking has been shown to cause a temporary increase in blood pressure due to activating your sympathetic nervous system (SNS).
• Recent studies found that cigarettes can also reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure drugs in the body.
• People with hypertension may benefit from quitting smoking by lowering their risk of cardiovascular disease.

Smoking cigarettes is a common habit that many people around the world enjoy. It is known to instantly raise your blood pressure and pulse, which can take about 20 minutes for your blood pressure and pulse to return to normal.

There is also some speculation that chronic high blood pressure may develop due to smoking. Moreover, cigarette smoking increases the risk of other cardiovascular problems, such as heart attack and stroke.

In this article, you can learn how smoking aggravates hypertension and other health conditions and learn how you can quit smoking.

What Is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is blood pressure that is higher than normal, i.e., 120/80 mm Hg. Your blood pressure keeps fluctuating throughout the day, depending on your activity. Having blood pressure readings that are regularly higher than normal may lead to a diagnosis of high blood pressure.

The higher your blood pressure will be, the greater your chance of severe health problems such as cardiovascular diseases, heart attack, and stroke. While there are numerous factors that lead to high blood pressure, obesity and smoking are two of the most frequent.

What’s The Link Between Blood Pressure And Smoking?

Smoking causes a temporary increase in blood pressure. This increase in blood pressure is due to the activation of your Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS).

When your SNS gets activated, hormonal signals cause an extra flow of blood to your muscles. This leads to an increase in heart rate and, eventually, your blood pressure.

This can cause damage to the walls of your arteries over time, putting you at risk for a variety of serious heart diseases. Smoking can also increase the chance of plaque formation inside your arteries, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke if left untreated.

In addition to these risks, smoking has been linked to hypertension as it raises the rate of plaque buildup inside your arteries.

Can Smoking Increase Your Chances Of Hypertension?

Smoking, as well as secondhand smoke exposure, can damage blood vessel walls and increase the risk of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fatty compounds termed plaque within the arteries. As a result, plaque formation can restrict blood arteries and lead to hypertension.

Furthermore, smoking also causes nicotine to be released into the bloodstream. Nicotine is known to raise blood pressure because it stimulates the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine.

These hormones can narrow the opening in certain blood vessels and reduce the space through which blood can flow, which results in increased blood pressure.

Hypertension is a common complication associated with smoking and other medical conditions such as obesity and diabetes. Proper lifestyle choices that reduce overall stress levels are essential for preventing hypertension from developing in the first place.

Why Quit Smoking In Hypertension?

If you smoke even after being a high blood pressure patient, quitting smoking may help your hypertension management. Even while using blood pressure medicine, smokers have a more difficult time controlling their blood pressure.

Another 2005 study found that cigarettes could weaken the effects of blood pressure medications on the body. This means quitting smoking can benefit those with hypertension by reducing their risk of cardiovascular disease.

So, if you’re trying to control your hypertension, it is vital to reduce or quit smoking as soon as possible. Quitting smoking can help lower your blood pressure and protect your heart health.

How Can You Quit Smoking?

There are many benefits to quitting smoking, both short- and long-term. The most common way for someone to quit smoking is through Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), such as a patch, gum, nasal spray, or inhaler.

However, one of the most successful ways to stop smoking is without using any medications at all. This is often done through behavioural methods like setting a goal to quit and working with a support system.

Making sure you have a plan in place for withdrawal symptoms is also crucial if you decide to try to quit on your own.

There are several ways for you to quit smoking, and there are many resources available online and in real life if you need them. But the most important thing is to get yourself motivated!

List reasons why quitting smoking is important to you and make a plan with supportive people. You can do it, so don’t give up.

Can You Have High Blood Pressure Even After Quitting Smoking?

Numerous studies have found that former smokers often have higher blood pressure readings than nonsmokers. This might be due to some temporary weight gain and other body adjustments after quitting smoking.

During nicotine withdrawal, a few anxiety sensations might easily induce high blood pressure. However, the overall health benefits that come with quitting smoking outweigh any temporary weight or blood pressure rises.

If you’re concerned about your hypertension, speak with a medical professional about possible treatments and risks.

Wrapping Up

Smoking has been linked to a number of health conditions, one of which is hypertension. It also activates your sympathetic nervous system, which in turn causes your pulse and blood pressure to increase. This temporary rise in blood pressure can lead to an even higher risk of stroke and heart attack.

If you are already suffering from hypertension, quitting smoking can help you manage your blood pressure better, along with other long-term benefits. To quit smoking and modify other lifestyle factors, speak with your healthcare provider about the best course of action for you.