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(Ref: Chobanian AV et al., JAMA 2003; 289: 2560-2572 Blumenthal JA et al., Arch Intern Med 2000; 160: 1947-1958.)
| Lifestyle Factor | Current UK recommendation for adults | Approx. SBP reduction* |
| Physical activity | 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity per week | 4-9 mmHg |
| Diet | Rich in fruit and vegetables; low in saturated fat and sugar | 8-14 mmHg |
| Dietary sodium (salt) | Less than 6g per day | 2-8 mmHg |
| Alcohol consumption | Less than 14 units per week, spread across the week | 2-4 mmHg |
| Weight (BMI) | Maintain normal BMI 18.5-25 | 3-20 mmHg / 10kg weight loss |
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What is the effect of smoking on blood pressure?
With each cigarette, blood pressure rises transiently. This transient rise lasts up to 30 minutes and may not be noticed if the person’s blood pressure is measured more than 30 minutes after their last cigarette. This is why you should always make sure that people have not smoked for at least 30 minutes before having their blood pressure measured.
Habitual smokers generally have lower blood pressure than their non-smoking counterparts (this is largely related to lower body weight).
Despite this, smoking should be avoided in anyone with hypertension, as it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Page last reviewed: 17 Sep 2020
