Explain how smoking can increase blood pressure?

There are two main reasons that smoking can increase blood pressure:

  1. Cigarette smoke contains nicotine which, once inhaled, can enter the bloodstream and cause the release of adrenaline which increases the heart rate. Increasing the heart rate will also raise the blood pressure. 

  2. Cigarette smoke also contains carbon monoxide which, once inhaled, can enter the bloodstream and bind to haemoglobin. This forms carboxyhaemoglobin, a molecule that oxygen cannot bind to. This results in a decreased concentration of oxygen in the blood which causes a compensatory rise in heart rate which, in turn, raises the blood pressure. 

OH
Answered by Oliver H. Biology tutor

7683 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Describe the changes in pupil size when light is shined into the eye. Explain why this happens.


What is active transport the movement of and what does it need to occur? Give some examples of where is might occur in the human body.


How would you define the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?


Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) can cause plants to produce less chlorophyll. This causes leaf discoloration. Explain why plants with TMV have stunted growth.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning