If the query, ‘will stop smoking lower blood pressure’ is bothering you then, the answer is ‘yes- quitting smoking would definitely get the job done.
With more than a billion men, women and even children suffering from high blood pressure, keeping it under control is of vital importance.
If hypertension is unchecked, it can lead to numerous complications. These are inclusive of (but not limited to) cardiac arrest, organ malfunction and mental issues. In severe cases, it can even prove to be fatal.
While there are numerous reasons behind hypertension, ‘smoking cigarettes’ is definitely one of them. It does elevate your blood pressure owing to the toxic chemicals present in its highly offensive smoke.
Nonetheless, when you quit smoking, your blood pressure manages to regain its normal level. Basically, you need to simply ‘quit smoking’ in order to stabilize your blood pressure levels.
>>> Click Here to Learn How to Cure High Blood Pressure Naturally at Home <<<
Will Stop Smoking Lower Blood Pressure Article Contents:
1) How does Smoking Cigarettes Affect Your Blood Pressure?
2) Why is my Blood Pressure High after Quitting Smoking?
3) How much does Smoking Raise your Blood Pressure?
4) How Long does it take to Lower Blood Pressure after you Quit Smoking?
5) How to Improve Blood Circulation after Quitting Smoking?
6) Quitting Smoking and Blood Pressure Medication – Which is the Best for You?
7) Conclusive Analysis
How does Smoking Cigarettes Affect Your Blood Pressure?
Does giving up smoking lower your blood pressure? Well, before we come to that, let me first walk you through why smoking cigarettes increases your blood pressure in the very first place.
Ironically, it has not been medically proven that each and every smoker shall have high blood pressure. Some smokers (although their numbers are few) have been known to display ‘lower than normal’ blood pressure levels (despite they smoking cigarettes regularly).
Smokers that do suffer from high blood pressure often suffer from hypertension. This is usually in a malignant stage (hypertension).
Atherosclerosis is usually a side effect of smoking cigarettes daily. In this scenario (Atherosclerosis), the arteries have plaque-like deposits. This in turn forces them to become narrow.
So, your blood flow is restricted considerably.
This causes your heart to beat faster in order to pump the required amount of blood to your organs. It causes high blood pressure. When your heart pumps faster, you may suffer from a stroke.
What is Your Blood Pressure – Understanding the Basics:
@ The ideal blood pressure of a normal individual is 120/80 mm Hg.
@ Your blood pressure is considered to be high when the reading is 140/90 millimeters of mercury.
@ Your systolic as well as diastolic reading is checked for determining the blood pressure.
@ The systolic pressure implies the pressure in your arteries when the heart is beating.
@ Diastolic pressure implies the pressure in your arteries when your heart is resting. This can be denoted as a period between two successive heartbeats.
@ Stress tends to cause high blood pressure. So does smoking a cigarette.
Why is my Blood Pressure High after Quitting Smoking?
Several research studies have claimed that smoking cigarettes tends to increase blood pressure levels in smoker. Others (a select few researches) state that smoking cigarettes does not elevate blood pressure levels in human beings.
It all depends on your body mechanism. The total number of cigarettes that you smoke daily is also a deciding factor. Your genetics and prior medical history too needs to be considered.
Anyhow, most smokers do tend to experience an increase in their body temperature. A few do skip this unfortunate ordeal owing to their robust body mechanism.
It has also been noticed that high blood pressure is more common in smokers who have hypertension.
Here is how a single cigarette increases your blood pressure levels:
@ When you smoke a cigarette, you tend to ingest over 6000 toxic chemicals into your body.
@ These chemicals contain carcinogens as well. Nonetheless, it is primarily carbon dioxide that damages your arteries.
@ The pressure applied to your arteries is immense.
@ The toxic fumes emitting from cigarettes tend to create a layer of plaque on the insides of your arteries.
@ This plaque tends to restrict normal blood flow in the body.
@ When the heart needs to work doubly hard to pump blood to other parts of the body, it gets worked up.
@ This is what elevates the existing blood pressure of a smoker.
How much does Smoking Raise your Blood Pressure?
It has not yet been ascertained how much does a single cigarette increases your blood pressure. The increase in blood pressure levels after consuming a cigarette differ from one smoker to another.
So, it is not a uniform phenomenon. In fact, some smokers may not witness any increase in their existing blood pressure levels after smoking a cigarette. Shortness of breath is also common to smokers.
Here are a few facts (related to your blood pressure) that you can keep in mind after smoking a cigarette:
@ Nicotine is responsible for elevating blood pressure levels in human beings.
@ Even carbon dioxide is considered to be a culprit for the same.
@ An average increase of 2 mm/Hg in blood pressure levels is noted in smokers smoking a single cigarette. So an ideal BP should be 82/144 (post smoking a single cigarette).
@ If you happen to smoke two cigarettes successively then, the average increase in blood pressure levels is in between 3 to 6 mm/Hg. So an ideal BP (blood pressure) should be 85/146 (post smoking 2 cigarettes).
@ Your arteries tend to constrict (plaque development) over a period of time. High blood pressure in smokers arises after a few months into smoking cigarettes continuously.
@ If you are consuming alcohol along with cigarettes then, your blood pressure is bound to rise. Drinking alcohol is therefore a bane for maintaining optimal blood sugar levels.
@ Hypertension in smokers make your condition worse.
How Long does it take to Lower Blood Pressure after you Quit Smoking?
‘How long after quitting smoking does blood flow increase’ is a question that needs to be answered rather diplomatically. Atherosclerosis is the main reason behind your blood pressure increasing after smoking a cigarette.
Basically when you smoke cigarettes regularly, your arteries get damaged. They simply tend to start aging way faster than before. This is when you begin to experience its side effects in the form of high blood pressure.
When your blood pressure levels remain high for prolonged time intervals, you tend to suffer from hypertension. If hypertension is ignored, it may even lead to premature death.
Facts on How Long does it take for Blood Pressure to Normalize after Quitting Smoking:
30 Minutes after Quitting Smoking:
After about half an hour post the last cigarette smoked, your body starts to cool itself down. This in turn implies that the raised blood pressure starts to normalize.
Expecting a 120/80 mm Hg reading is quite possible after 30 minutes of your last cigarette. This in turn implies that your heart has also started to beat in a normal rhythm.
10 Hours after Quitting Smoking:
After about 10 to 11 hours post your last cigarette, the toxic fumes present within your body start to wean. This in turn implies that carbon monoxide and other toxic gasses should start leaving your body.
This in turn implies that the oxygen levels in your body elevate considerably. It is also an indicator that your organs (especially the heart and lungs) begin to function better. More oxygen is able to push itself in your body.
A Day without a Cigarette:
Unless and until you are hyper tense, your blood circulation is normal. Just a day after your last cigarette, your blood pressure is normal. Even the oxygen level in your body is stable.
In fact, you begin to experience better breathing. It is quite possible that you can climb up a flight of stairs without getting exhausted in the act.
2 Days without a Cigarette:
Your blood pressure levels shall further stabilize 2 days post your last cigarette. The body shall start to repair itself. Cell repair shall be initiated and you shall begin to feel better.
4 days without a Cigarette:
Your nicotine levels begin to wean. This is when your dependency on nicotine starts to show effect. You begin to experience mood swings and crave for smoking a cigarette again. Cell repair continues unabated.
15 days without a Cigarette:
Your blood pressure normalizes. It stops fluctuating like it did previously. In fact, you begin to experience positive results in every possible aspect linked to your health.
Your breathing improves and you begin to cough lesser. In fact, your energy levels get a boost. It is quite possible that you begin to exercise regularly without feeling fatigued.
6 Months without a Cigarette:
There is absolutely no fluctuation in your blood pressure levels. They are stable. Your oxygen supply is perfect and your cilia start to heal. Your breathing improves and you cough less.
Your arteries also heal considerably (but not completely). It is quite possible that your internal organs have returned back to their pre-smoking stages. Basically, your internal health has improved four-folds.
2 Years or More without a Cigarette:
When you stop smoking cigarettes for 2 years or more then, most of your internal system has healed. Your arteries should have flushed out the plaque thereby improving your blood pressure levels.
Toxic chemicals that have deposited within your system have been flushed out completely. It is also possible that your arteries shall get their original shape back. Optimal blood flow is therefore achieved.
How to Improve Blood Circulation after Quitting Smoking?
When you have decided to quit smoking, you have won the first battle. It takes a lot of courage, determination and perseverance to quit smoking.
After learning how to quit, the next task is to get rid of the toxins that have accumulated within your system. A single cigarette contains anywhere in between 6000 to 7000 chemicals. These are highly toxic and tend to accumulate within your body.
These toxins need to be flushed out if you would like to become healthy again. While this does take time, you can hasten this process. You simply need to make healthy lifestyle changes.
Here are a few ways to increase your blood flow quickly after quitting cigarettes:
>>> The first step to improving your blood flow is to indulge in cardiovascular exercises. Take a small jog at the local park to achieve this aim.
>>> Avoiding foods laced with unhealthy fats and oil is recommended for smokers. Fresh vegetables, fruits and lean protein are recommended to reduce cholesterol and improve blood flow.
>>> A low sodium diet is highly recommended for smokers. Sodium tends to elevate blood pressure levels. So, consume as less iodine fortified salt as possible. You may consume rock salt instead.
>>> If you drink more than 3 pegs of alcohol daily then, your blood pressure levels are bound to increase. The increment could be close to 10mm Hg. So, drink as less alcohol as possible.
>>> You need to lose weight if you are overweight. Extra pounds of body fat add pressure to your heart and arteries. This leads to high blood pressure. When you reduce your weight, your blood pressure levels normalize.
>>> Sleeping well at night is yet another way for smokers to regain their normal blood pressure levels. So, never skip a good night’s rest. When you are able to sleep well at night, you shall automatically regain normal blood flow.
>>> Practice meditation and deep breathing exercises. These have the ability to reduce your blood pressure levels considerably. A classic example of the same is taking 5 deep breaths in 60 seconds to stabilize high blood pressure.
Quitting Smoking and Blood Pressure Medication
The systolic and diastolic pressure is used for calculating your current blood pressure level. If the reading is 120/80 mm Hg then, it is considered as normal blood pressure.
The number 120 denotes the systolic pressure. This is the pressure that is applied to your arteries when your heart beats.
The number 80 denotes the diastolic pressure. This is the pressure placed onto your arteries between two heartbeats. Simply put, this is the time when your heart is resting.
Stages of High Blood Pressure:
>>> If your systolic pressure is higher than 120 but less than 140 then, it is the first stage of high blood pressure.
>>> If your diastolic pressure is higher than 80 but less than 90 then, it is the first stage of high blood pressure.
>>> In case your systolic pressure is higher than 140 then, you have reached the second stage of high blood pressure.
>>> In case your diastolic pressure is higher than 90 then, you have reached the second stage of high blood pressure.
>>> In case you are 60 years and older then, your systolic pressure is high but the diastolic pressure is normal. This is considered normal with your age.
What are the Best Medicines for Smokers for Maintain Optimal Blood Pressure Levels?
>>> Diuretics are widely used for stabilizing blood pressure in smokers. They help flush out extra sodium in your body via urination.
>>> Tiazac and Cardizem are popular medicines for maintain optimal blood pressure levels. They relax your blood vessels and reduce your current heart rate.
>>> Cardizem is yet another popular drug that eases blood vessels. When your arteries and blood vessels are relaxed, they tend to reduce your blood pressure levels.
>>> Benazepril and lisinopri are also popular amidst smokers for controlling their blood pressure. These medicines help eliminate certain enzymes that constrict blood vessels.
>>> Losartan and candesartan are popular amidst smokers. These medications are termed as Angiotensin II receptor blockers. They stop any toxin from narrowing blood vessels.
>>> Smokers can also take hydralazine to avoid any tightness in the arteries. By maintaining optimal muscle strength in the arteries, hydralazine medications avoid them from shrinking.
Conclusive Analysis:
When you stop smoking cigarettes, your blood pressure does get normal. While some smokers take 25 minutes to achieve this goal, others may take a year or more.
So, why this disparity?
I (LeanAndFit reviewer) feel that there are numerous reasons behind this weird phenomenon.
Your genes, medical history, nature of abuse (number of cigarettes smoked daily) and stress levels have a major role to play in determining how soon your blood pressure shall return to normal after you quit smoking.
So quit worrying!
Simply stop smoking and make healthy lifestyle changes. Soon, your life and your blood pressure levels shall be back on track again.