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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Elevated Blood Pressure Levels?

I recently (5 weeks ago) quit smoking. Since quitting, my blood pressure has significantly increased which has me concerned. Prior to quitting my BP was normally around 124/76. Now it is 177/105. Is this normal? I have been on Losartan HCTZ 100-25 MG for many years. When I went to see my GP about this 2 weeks ago, he added Amlodipine Besylate 5 MG. It doesn t appear to have had any effect. I am 62 years old, never a heavy smoker, 5-7 cigarettes a day.
Fri, 9 Mar 2018
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

Robust scientific studies (longitudinal studies, controlled trials, et cetera) on quite large samples of people have pointed out that quitting smoking has no significant effect on blood pressure, in the short (after some weeks) and long term (several years after quitting).

In most cases, smoking cessation is associated with weight gain (more pronounced in men) and this could be associated with blood pressure increase. You have not revealed anything about your weight change in your post, but I assume that there have been no big changes in this regard.

Therefore, the increase of blood pressure in your case seems not to be associated with smoking cessation. I suggest that you should adjust your anti-hypertensive in order to find the right one that works for you, in close cooperation with your doctor.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Ervin Toçi
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What Causes Elevated Blood Pressure Levels?

Hello, Robust scientific studies (longitudinal studies, controlled trials, et cetera) on quite large samples of people have pointed out that quitting smoking has no significant effect on blood pressure, in the short (after some weeks) and long term (several years after quitting). In most cases, smoking cessation is associated with weight gain (more pronounced in men) and this could be associated with blood pressure increase. You have not revealed anything about your weight change in your post, but I assume that there have been no big changes in this regard. Therefore, the increase of blood pressure in your case seems not to be associated with smoking cessation. I suggest that you should adjust your anti-hypertensive in order to find the right one that works for you, in close cooperation with your doctor. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Ervin Toçi