Smoking contributes to high blood pressure.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Not sure
• D. Sometimes

Answer: (B)

Smoking contributes to high blood pressure because nicotine triggers a surge of adrenaline, which makes the heart beat faster and the blood vessels tighten. That immediate effect raises blood pressure right after smoking. With repeated exposure over time, the blood vessels can become stiffer and the heart has to work harder, so the baseline blood pressure can rise and the risk of developing hypertension increases. Smoking also damages the lining of arteries and reduces oxygen delivery, adding strain to the cardiovascular system. Because of these effects, smoking is a risk factor for high blood pressure, and quitting often improves blood pressure and lowers cardiovascular risk. While an individual smoker might sometimes have normal readings, the overall impact of smoking is to contribute to higher blood pressure rather than being unrelated or only occasional.