How can smoking affect blood pressure?

Smoking can temporarily raise blood pressure and damage blood vessels over time due to several physiological responses initiated by the substances in tobacco smoke. When a person smokes, nicotine enters the bloodstream, leading to increased heart rate and constriction of blood vessels, which results in a spike in blood pressure. This acute rise can happen shortly after smoking.

Moreover, the chemicals in cigarette smoke, such as carbon monoxide and tar, contribute to the long-term damage of blood vessels. Over time, this damage can lead to atherosclerosis—where the arteries become narrowed and hardened due to plaque buildup—and other cardiovascular diseases, which can further exacerbate hypertension.

Consequently, the combination of immediate elevation of blood pressure and chronic vascular damage underscores why smoking has such a detrimental impact on cardiovascular health, emphasizing the importance of smoking cessation for managing blood pressure and overall health.