High blood pressure and quitting smoking
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High blood pressure and quitting smoking
Smoking increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and many other health problems. Nicotine, found in tobacco of any form, temporarily increases blood pressure and heart rate with each use. Smoking also causes the arteries to tighten (constrict), which also increases blood pressure.
Quitting smoking is very important for anyone with high blood pressure or any form of heart disease. It is especially important for women who use birth control pills. The combination of birth control pills and smoking greatly increases the risk for blood clots, high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.
For more information, see the topic Quitting Tobacco Use.
Credits
| Author | Robin Parks, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD - Cardiology |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition |
| Last Updated | April 24, 2007 |
| Last updated: | April 24, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Robin Parks, MS |
| Reviewed By: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman |
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