Smoking and Hypertension: A Deadly Combination for the Youth

Smoking and Hypertension: A Deadly Combination for the Youth This article is medically reviewed by Dr Valery Feigin | Professor of Neurology & Epidemiology and Director of NISAN (National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neurosciences), Auckland University of Technology.

Smoking has been a rising global health issue that is affecting all individuals due to first-hand and second-hand smoking. According to NCBI, more than 50% of smokers in Southeast Asia are young people. We often think of smoking as primarily harmful to our lungs, causing cancer and other respiratory issues. But what many of us, especially younger adults, may not realize is the direct connection between smoking and hypertension, or high blood pressure. When we light up, we're not just damaging our lungs; we're also putting our heart health at risk.

How Smoking Links To Hypertension

When an individual smokes a cigarette, it will cause a sudden increase in the individual’s blood pressure and heart rate. This rapid response is formed from the sympathetic nervous system stimulation from nicotine found in cigarettes. The system releases hormones such as epinephrine, known as adrenaline and norepinephrine. These hormones constrict blood vessels and in turn, raise blood pressure.

Chronic Effects

Prolonged periods of smoking can cause long-term impacts on our blood pressure which causes the following:

1. Endothelial Dysfunction: Cigarettes have toxic chemicals that harm the human blood vessels’ inner lining, also known as endothelium. This leads to a reduced ability of our blood vessels to facilitate regular blood flow which leads to heightened peripheral resistance and higher blood pressure.

2. Arterial Stiffness: Smoking speeds up the plaque buildup in arteries which makes the arteries stiffer. Stiff arteries make the heart’s workload higher and this forms an elevated blood pressure.

3. Inflammation: Smoking triggers an inflammatory response in the body, which can damage blood vessel walls and promote the development of hypertension.

4. Oxidative Stress: Compounds in cigarette smoke generate free radicals and oxidative stress, which can impair the function of blood vessels and contribute to high blood pressure.

 

Dose-Response Relationship

Studies from NCBI have demonstrated a dose-response relationship between the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the risk of developing hypertension. Heavy smokers have a significantly higher risk of high blood pressure compared to light smokers or non-smokers.
 

Effect of Second-Hand Smoke

Mayo Clinic has mentioned second-hand smoke can lead to platelets (cells responsible for clotting our blood) becoming stickier, increasing the chances of clotting. This makes it more likely for a heart attack or stroke to happen because of the clotting.

What Should We Do?

Smoking is a significant modifiable risk factor for hypertension, particularly among the youth. The adverse effects of smoking on blood pressure are well-documented and can lead to severe cardiovascular complications if left unchecked. Young adults must recognise the dangers of smoking and take proactive steps to quit or avoid initiating this harmful habit.