Scientists have confirmed the link between smoking and hypertension

A new study from the University of Manitoba, Canada, sheds light on this link - and makes it much more obvious.

An international team of researchers led by Professor Setor Kunutsor, an epidemiologist and cardiology specialist, has found a direct correlation between tobacco smoke and the risk of developing hypertension. The work is published in the Journal of Human Hypertension.

More than 3,300 adults without previously diagnosed high blood pressure participated in the study. The average age of the participants was 49 years old. Researchers followed them for seven years, tracking whether they developed hypertension.

A key feature was the dual method of assessing tobacco load:

1. Participants' self-report (never smoker, former smoker, infrequent smoker, avid smoker).

2. Urine test for cotinine, a chemical formed in the body when exposed to nicotine. It is a reliable biomarker of the actual level of smoking, including passive smoking.

What the results show

By the 7th year of follow-up, more than 800 people had developed hypertension. The analysis showed: both light and active smokers - regardless of the method of measurement - had an increased risk of high blood pressure compared to non-smokers.

Interestingly, self-reports often underestimated the tobacco load. Many participants had cotinine levels indicating smoking, despite describing themselves as "ex-smokers" or even "never smokers." This suggests that the actual link between smoking and hypertension may be stronger than previously thought.

According to the researchers, regular urine cotinine testing could be a valuable tool in the diagnosis and prevention of cardiovascular disease. It helps identify both actual smokers and victims of second-hand smoke, who also have an increased risk of hypertension.

However, the Kununtsor team emphasises that tests alone are not enough. For example, more than half of the participants with cotinine levels consistent with active smoking had "ex-smoker" status on their questionnaires. This underlines the need for a personal conversation with a doctor and a detailed analysis of each patient's smoking history.

Researchers also recognise the potential of new technologies, such as wearable sensors that can continuously monitor tobacco exposure. Such solutions could help to better assess risk and improve prevention of hypertension and other heart diseases.