Self-administered and yoked nicotine produce robust increases in blood pressure and changes in heart rate with modest effects of behavioral contingency in rats

► The cardiovascular effects of nicotine were characterized using a yoked design. ► Acute nicotine elevated blood pressure and decreased heart rate. ► Repeated exposure reduced the hypertensive effects of nicotine relative to saline. ► Baseline blood pressure decreased with days of nicotine exposure. ► Small, but significant, differences were seen as a function of response contingency.