Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between smoking and blood pressure?

• A. Smoking has no effect on blood pressure
• B. Smoking contributes to high blood pressure
• C. Smoking lowers blood pressure
• D. Smoking only affects blood pressure during exercise

Answer: (B)

Smoking raises blood pressure because nicotine triggers the body's fight-or-flight response, causing blood vessels to constrict and the heart to beat faster. This leads to higher pressure right away and, with repeated exposure, contributes to long-term changes in the arteries that raise the baseline risk of hypertension. Carbon monoxide from smoke also makes the heart work harder by reducing how efficiently blood carries oxygen. Altogether, smoking is a clear risk factor that tends to push blood pressure upward rather than having no effect or lowering it, and the effect can be felt even outside of exercise. Quitting can help bring blood pressure toward healthier levels over time.