The Effect of Cigarette Smoking on Blood Pressure and Hypertension

Cigarette smoking and hypertension are significant cardiovascular risk factors. The effect of cigarettes on blood pressure and the development of hypertension are unclear. Studies on the subject report contradictory results. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of cigarette smoking on blood pressure and hypertension. Our study population consisted of 712 patients with a mean age of 51.2±15.1 years, 44% of them were male and 56% of them were female. Thirty-six percent of patients were smokers, 9% of them were ever smoked and stopped smoking or exsmoker and 55% of them were nonsmoker. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were lowest in the smokers, higher among ex-smokers compared to smokers and highest in the non-smokers (P<0.001). The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 119/74 mmHg in the smokers, 134/81 mmHg in the ex-smokers and 150/88 mmHg in the nonsmokers. Prevalence of hypertension did not change by smoking status. A significant variation was determined, at 15% in smokers, 33% in ex-smokers and 55% in non-smokers (P<0.001). In conclusion, blood pressures and prevalence of hypertension were significantly low in smokers in this study. Despite the limitless harm it has, cigarette smoking exhibits a lowering effect in blood pressure, although the mechanism involved is unclear. Keywords : Blood pressure; cigarettes; hypertension