Why Smoking Is a Major Risk Factor for Hypertension in Women?

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is when the blood force against the wall of arteries is consistently too high. Over time, hypertension can lead to serious health complications. 

High blood pressure symptoms – High blood pressure often does not have many noticeable symptoms. However, when symptoms occur, they can include headache, chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, anxiety, nosebleeds, blurred vision, unresponsiveness, etc. BP low symptoms may vary with high ones. You should seek medical care if you have a very high blood pressure reading and any of the following symptoms:  

• • Chest pain 
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Symptoms of a stroke, such as numbness, tingling, or trouble speaking

The doctor will examine your condition to prescribe the best blood pressure medicines to control your BP

Smoking has numerous detrimental effects on women’s health, impacting most organs of the body. In addition to causing general health issues, smoking has unique risks for women, particularly in the areas of cardiovascular health, reproductive health, bone density, and more. Here is an overview of the health consequences women face after smoking

1. Cardiovascular health

• • Smoking is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease. In women, smoking significantly increases the risk of coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and stroke. Women who smoke have a higher risk of developing these conditions compared to non-smoking women, and this risk is compounded for those on birth control pills.
  • Smoking raises blood pressure and increases the heart rate, contributing to the development of hypertension, which can lead to further heart disease and stroke

2. Reproductive and hormonal health

• • Women who smoke are more likely to experience earlier menopause, sometimes as early as 1-2 years earlier than non-smokers. This is because smoking accelerates the loss of eggs in the ovaries, reducing fertility over time.
  • Smoking negatively affects both male and female fertility. In women, it can cause damage to the fallopian tubes and ovaries, making it harder to conceive. It also increases the risk of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. 
  • Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome.  
  • Smoking affects the balance of hormones, including estrogen, which is important for reproductive health and bone density

3. Bone health

• • Smoking contributes to the loss of bone density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis, particularly in postmenopausal women. The combination of smoking and lower estrogen levels due to menopause makes women more susceptible to fractures and bone weakness. 
  • Smokers tend to have lower bone mass, which can lead to an increased risk of bone fractures, particularly in older women. 

4. Cancer risk

• • Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer in women. Female smokers are at significantly higher risk compared to non-smokers, and women who smoke are more likely to develop lung cancer at a younger age. 
  • Smoking also increases the risk of various other cancers, including cervical cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and bladder cancer

5. Skin and aging

• • Smoking accelerates the aging of the skin. The toxins in cigarette smoke break down collagen and elastin, the fibers that give skin strength and elasticity. This leads to wrinkles, sagging, and a dull complexion. 
  • Smokers are more likely to develop skin cancers, including melanoma, due to the harmful chemicals in smoke

6. Mental and cognitive health

• • Smoking increases the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, as it damages the blood vessels and decreases the flow of oxygen to the brain. Women are particularly vulnerable to these effects due to hormonal differences. 
  • There is evidence that smoking contributes to mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. The stress of nicotine addiction, combined with the effects of smoking on neurotransmitters, can worsen mental health in women

7. Respiratory health

• • Smoking is the leading cause of COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. These conditions significantly impair lung function and quality of life, with women being more likely to develop COPD than men, especially considering increased smoking rates among women. 
  • Smoking weakens the immune system, making women more susceptible to respiratory infections, including pneumonia and bronchitis

8. Oral health

• • Smoking increases the risk of gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss. Women who smoke are at a higher risk of developing periodontal (gum) disease compared to non-smokers. 
  • Smoking significantly raises the risk of developing cancers of the mouth, throat, and tongue. 

By now, we have quite a clear idea of how smoking can affect women’s health. Now, let’s understand how smoking is a major risk factor for hypertension (high blood pressure) in women due to several physiological and biochemical mechanisms that are exacerbated by smoking.  

1. Nicotine’s effect on blood vessels

• • Nicotine, a key component in cigarettes, stimulates the release of catecholamines (e.g., adrenaline). These chemicals cause blood vessels to constrict (narrow), which increases the resistance the heart has to work against, raising blood pressure. 
  • Smoking can damage the endothelial cells lining the blood vessels, impairing their ability to relax and dilate, essential for maintaining normal blood pressure.

2. Increased heart rate

• • Nicotine increases heart rate by stimulating the sympathetic nervous system. A higher heart rate means the heart has to work harder, which can contribute to higher blood pressure.

3. Inflammation and oxidative stress

• • Smoking causes chronic inflammation and oxidative stress in the body. This inflammation can damage the blood vessels and make them less flexible, leading to higher blood pressure. Oxidative stress also contributes to the dysfunction of the endothelium, which is critical for blood vessel regulation.

4. Hormonal effects

• • Smoking can influence the hormonal balance in the body, including increased levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and changes in estrogen levels. These hormonal shifts can negatively affect blood pressure regulation. 
  • In women, hormonal fluctuations, particularly during menopause, can already predispose them to higher blood pressure. Smoking exacerbates this risk by influencing estrogen levels, which can affect vascular health.

5. Increased risk of other cardiovascular diseases

• • Smoking is also associated with an increased risk of other conditions that contribute to hypertension, such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and heart disease. These conditions make it harder for blood to flow freely, raising blood pressure over time.

6. Gender-specific risks

• • Women who smoke may have a higher risk of developing hypertension compared to men, possibly due to differences in how smoking impacts estrogen and other hormonal factors. Research shows that smoking can increase the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure more significantly in women than in men, especially after menopause.

7. Synergistic effects with oral contraceptives

• • Women who smoke and use oral contraceptives are at an even higher risk of developing hypertension. The combination of smoking and estrogen-based contraceptives can increase blood pressure significantly.

Conclusion: 

Smoking has a profound and wide-ranging negative impact on women’s health. It accelerates the aging process, increases the risk of several cancers, harms reproductive health, and contributes to serious cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. Smoking contributes to hypertension in women by causing vasoconstriction, increasing heart rate, promoting inflammation, and negatively affecting hormone levels and vascular health. Given that women may already be predisposed to hypertension through hormonal changes, smoking compounds this risk significantly, making it a major factor in the development of high blood pressure. 

However, quitting smoking brings numerous health benefits, such as improving quality and longevity of life. For women, especially, quitting smoking can help preserve hypertension, reproductive and bone health, reduce cancer risks, and prevent premature aging.

Consult a doctor to understand BP medication or drugs for high blood pressure. Some commonly prescribed BP medications include Telma 80 mg, Cardivas CR 40 mg, Nicardia CD 30mg, and Corbis 5mg, among others.