Smoking and Hypertension

Since smoking is related to cardiac diseases, it seems natural for it to be associated with high blood pressure. But surprisingly enough, smoking is not one of the causes of high blood pressure. That is according to current medical studies on the matter. But this is not supposed to be a license to continue smoking–not at all. Though smoking is not a primary cause for hypertension, it still contributes to developing hypertension due to cardiac disease.

The fact about smoking is it does bring about an increase in blood pressure. Nicotine causes the blood vessels to constrict and the heart to beat faster, thereby increasing blood pressure. But you have to note that this increase is temporary; it doesn’t really cause a person to have long term high blood pressure or hypertension. Even if a person should smoke one to two packs a day, the spike in blood pressure is caused by nicotine intake and not really because of a naturally occurring condition. By natural it is meant that the blood pressure rate is high not because of the internal workings or imbalances of the body. Because of this, it would not be easy to conclude that smoking can bring a permanent change in a person’s blood pressure or is among the causes of high blood pressure as a medical condition.

Though there is no direct connection, quitting smoking is still recommended. Even if the cause of high blood pressure is excessive nicotine intake, having constant high blood pressure can lead to complications such as heart and kidney failure. Smoking also causes damage to blood vessels and has a strong connection to causing atherosclerosis and RVT. Aside from those, smoking is one of the chief causes of preventable deaths in the US. Deaths caused by smoking even trumps deaths caused by AIDS and vehicular accidents combined. All of these facts make it a logical choice health-wise to quit smoking or not to start smoking.

But the problem of smoking is more of an addiction rather than just a habit. This is what makes it hard for smokers to quit. The truth is the body builds up a dependence on nicotine, that’s why there’s always that urge to light up. But even if this is the case, quitting smoking is doable, all one needs is the proper support and willpower to overcome the addiction and stay clear of tobacco and nicotine consumption.

As strange as it may be to know, smoking is not one of the major causes of high blood pressure. This is what makes high blood pressure intriguing and dangerous–it’s hard to pinpoint what actually cause it. But even so, we know some of the factors that contribute to it. Smoking is one of them. Though not being the direct cause, we at least know that smoking can increase the chances of developing the complications of hypertension, such as stroke, kidney failure, and heart disease. And if anyone cared a little about their health, that is enough reason to stop smoking. You will have much to gain and nothing to lose, except an unhealthy habit.