smoking and hypertension

Last reviewed 08/2021

• there is an acute elevation in blood pressure that lasts for about 15 minutes after finishing a cigarette

• regular smokers have a slightly LOWER blood pressure compared with non-smokers - probably largely due to them being slimmer

• smoking may be associated with malignant hypertension secondary to renal artery stenosis

• hypertension and smoking are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease