Why Does Smoking Cause a Rise in Blood Pressure

There is no disputing the fact that the effects of smoking very harmful to the human body. Many studies indicate that the practice of smoking is rampant not only among adults but even teens between the ages of 12 to 17. Smoking causes a whole lot of health problems, which in turn relates to a whole generation of unhealthy and sick people.

Why Does Smoking Cause a Rise in Blood Pressure
Smoking affects the cardiovascular system, by rapidly raising the blood pressure and the heart beat. High blood pressure is also known as hypertension. This combination often leads to heart strokes or other heart related diseases. Following are some of the reasons believed to raise blood pressure because of smoking.

Blood Vessels: Cigarettes are made of tobacco, which contain nicotine and other poisonous chemicals. When these chemicals enter the blood stream, they weaken and cause the blood vessels (arteries and veins) to become narrow. Narrowing of the blood vessels is known as atherosclerosis. The blood flowing through them constricts, and the heart has to use more than normal pressure to pump the blood. The more the pressure applied by the heart, the higher the blood pressure. Constant strain on the heart often results in strokes, and, at times, even paralysis.

Affected Blood: Over time, nicotine affects the quality of blood that flows in the body. It increases the levels of cholesterol and fibrinogen (protein present in the blood plasma that converts to fibrin when blood clots). When blood starts to clot in the heart, it increases the risk of having a heart attack. Even other body parts are affected due to nicotine in the blood.

Oxygen Deficit: The nicotine present in tobacco decreases oxygen supply in the body. Deficient oxygen puts pressure on the heart, as it causes it to work harder to supply sufficient amount of oxygen required by the other parts of the body. When the heart starts to strain under pressure, it affects the overall functioning of the cardiovascular system, and raises blood pressure.

Plaque: Smoking causes plaque build-up in blood vessels, blocking the arteries and restricting blood flow. The inner lining of blood vessels get damaged, resulting in inflammation of the blood vessels. This combination of build-up plaque and inflammation of the vessels results in an increase in the blood pressure.

Our body is geared up to resist all harmful foreign objects that enter it. It actually makes an effort to send out signals to stop people from smoking. First timers tend to cough a lot, and feels constant pain or burning in their throat and lungs. However, most people ignore them and get addicted to this habit. Smoking causes a lot of other diseases besides high blood pressure, such as lung and throat cancer, and kidney failures among other things.