We all know that smoking cigarette is harmful to our health, but how does it affect blood pressure? We dedicate an article to you with which we try to raise awareness about the consequences that come with smoking.
As one of the major health problems in the world, smoking takes a huge number of lives every year.
In addition to the numerous health problems that occur as a result of smoking, an existing problem is further highlighted and exacerbated.
High blood pressure or hypertension is a condition that ranks high on the list of health problems shared by a huge number of people.
Called the “silent killer”, high blood pressure can be hidden for years before causing a problem.
Therefore, in the following, we will talk about the harmful and potentially dangerous connection between the regular use of cigarettes and high blood pressure.
What do the numbers and statistics say about smoking and blood pressure?
Some world statistics say that 25% of heart attacks are caused by cigarette smoking. Also, smokers are 2 to 4 times more susceptible to various heart diseases.
In addition, the harmful effects of cigarette smoke affect not only smokers but also the people around them who inhale the smoke, called “passive smokers”.
Of particular concern is this “passive smoking” that occurs in children.
Parents smoking near children or indoors expose them to the harmful effects of smoke.
The risk of pneumonia, bronchitis, and asthma in these children is increased as a result of inhaling cigarette smoke.
read more: what Are the Effect of Smoking on your beauty
Cigarettes and blood pressure are a very harmful and dangerous combination
We have already mentioned that smoking is a proven and significant risk factor for cardiovascular health and it increases the chances of heart attack and stroke.
But the link between smoking and blood pressure is still being explored.
We already know that smoking as well as exposure to so-called “passive smoking” increase the risk of substances depositing on the inside of the walls of the arteries – a condition known as arteriosclerosis.
This process is further accelerated and complicated if there is high blood pressure.
Also, each lit cigarette contributes to an acute, temporary increase in blood pressure.
This increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
How to quit smoking cigarettes
We must have the desire and motivation to give up.
We should not wait for it to be too late and for health problems to occur so that it makes us quit smoking.
Giving up is not easy, but fortunately, there are tools and experts who can help you.
It does not have to happen all at once and it does not always succeed from the first attempt, but the important thing is to keep trying.
It is interesting that our body always has mechanisms that repair the damage that has been done, so after a certain period after the cancellation, the listed risks for diseases are reduced, and you will feel better and healthier.
Quitting smoking also means a healthier heart
Although the best way to protect your heart health is to never quit, quitting still leads to significantly improved health over time.
After 20 minutes of quitting, your pulse and blood pressure return to normal.
After 12 hours, blood carbon monoxide levels return to normal, allowing more oxygen to be transported to vital organs and the heart.
After 1 year, the risk of heart attack or stroke is halved.
And after 4 years of not smoking, the risk of stroke is the same as for a non-smoker.