3 Things to Avoid When You Have High Blood Pressure

How do alcohol, tobacco, and vaping affect blood pressure?

They raise blood pressure by narrowing blood vessels and making it harder for the heart to pump blood around the body.

Is it safe for me to drink any alcohol?

Drinking any amount of alcohol has health risks — the more you drink, the greater the risks. If you can drink less, that’s great. If you can stop drinking altogether, that’s even better. (And if you don’t drink already, don’t start.)

What about the health benefits of alcohol?

It’s not recommended to drink any kind of alcohol to get health benefits. The risks, especially for people with high blood pressure, outweigh any possible health gains.

Is it safe for me to use any tobacco and vapes?

No. Nicotine, the main ingredient in tobacco and vapes, causes blood pressure to spike almost immediately. This means any amount of cigarette smoking, chewing tobacco, vaping, and secondhand smoke is bad for people with hypertension.

On top of raising blood pressure, smoking causes damage to almost every single organ in the body and raises the risk of heart attack or stroke.

What do I do now?

Let your care team know where you’re at with your alcohol, tobacco, and vape habits. They’ll offer judgment-free support and guidance.