Tabac et pression artérielle : une relation complexe à mieux connaître

Hypertension and tobacco smoking are two major modifiable risk factors for atheromatous disease and its cardiovascular complications. If systolic hypertension (SBP ≥ 140 mmHg and DBP < 90 mmHg) is the leading risk factor for stroke, smoking (nicotine) has a more powerful impact on coronary events, aortic aneurysms, and peripheral artery disease. Smoking can transiently modify the regulation of blood pressure (BP) by a swift effect on the autonomic nervous system. It also accelerates arterial aging, which plays a role in chronic hypertension. Chronic sympathetic activation induced by tobacco smoking also has some involvement in lipid metabolism and insulin resistance, both implicated in atheromatous disease. Thus, smoking can contribute to the development of atheromatous renal artery stenosis, which is an aggravating cause of hypertension. It may also reduce the effectiveness of most antihypertensive drugs. Finally, it is often associated with increased alcohol consumption. All these factors may contribute to poor blood pressure control in these high-risk CV patients. Smoking cessation is effective regardless of patient age and length of consumption. Every effort should thus be made to support smoking cessation. This is the objective of the French “Plan Sans Tabac” (No Tobacco Plan) and the related actions conducted by the French Federation of Cardiology.