How and why chemicals from tobacco smoke can induce a rise in blood pressure

Table 1 Factors involved in blood pressure control

Factors	Controlled parameters
Cardiac inotropism	Heart rate, cardiac output
Arterial resistance	Arterial stiffness, arterial vasoconstriction, arterial dilation, endothelial function, anatomical structure of the arteries
Blood volume	Salt uptake
Blood viscosity	Red blood cell numbers

Table 2 Main factors influencing those parameters that regulate blood pressure

Factors	Influenced parameter
Dietary factors
Salt intake-sodium, potassium
Calcium, magnesium	Blood flow and volume
Vegetarian diet, alcohol
Bio-humoral and hormonal factors
Angiotensin
Vasopressin	Arterial wall
Vasodilators	Blood flow and volume
Vasoconstrictors	Arterial resistance
Catecholamines
Neural factors
Central nervous system
Sympathetic system	Sympathetic stimulation
	Catecholamine release
Genetic and metabolic factors	Glucose and lipid metabolism
	Genetic code
Lifestyle	Preventive measures

Table 3 Main clinical involvement caused by smoking compounds

Body organ	Clinical picture
Heart	Coronary artery disease
	Heart enlargement
	Congestive heart failure
Brain	Transient ischemic attack
	Stroke
	Cognitive decline
Kidney	Arteriolosclerosis
	Chronic renal failure
Eyes	Artery vessel alterations
Genital system	Sexual dysfunction
Bone	Osteoporosis