Key result
Although smoking acutely raises blood pressure and heart rate, tolerance develops over time, and nicotine patches have little adverse cardiovascular effect and can be safely recommended to hypertensive patients.
Why the study?
Does smoking and nicotine replacement therapy affect blood pressure and heart rate in smokers and nonsmokers?
Population
Adults, including normotensive and hypertensive smokers and nonsmokers
Comparison
Cigarette smoking and nicotine replacement therapy vs Nonsmoking or placebo
Design
Review
Authors
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May support nicotine patch use in hypertensive smokers; leaves open need for randomized confirmation of long-term cardiovascular safety.
Does smoking and nicotine replacement therapy affect blood pressure and heart rate in smokers and nonsmokers?
While smoking acutely increases blood pressure and heart rate, chronic tolerance develops, and nicotine replacement therapy (patches) does not cause sustained blood pressure elevation, making it safe for hypertensive patients.
Thomas G. Pickering (2001) conducted a review in Hypertension. Smoking and Nicotine Replacement Therapy vs. Nonsmokers / Placebo was evaluated. Although smoking acutely raises blood pressure and heart rate, tolerance develops over time, and nicotine patches have little adverse cardiovascular effect and can be safely recommended to hypertensive patients.