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.