BCSE Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Study Resource

Nicotine has a well-documented stimulatory effect on the cardiovascular system, leading to both increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure. When nicotine is introduced into the body, it stimulates the adrenal medulla to release catecholamines, specifically epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones enhance the heart's activity by accelerating the heart rate (tachycardia) and increasing the force of contraction, which ultimately raises blood pressure.

Moreover, nicotine also promotes vasoconstriction in many blood vessels, further contributing to increased blood pressure. This dual action, where the heart rate climbs and vascular resistance increases, is why the correct choice highlights both increased heart rate and blood pressure as key cardiovascular effects of nicotine.

In contrast, vasodilation would imply widening of blood vessels, which is not an effect of nicotine. Decreased heart rate is counterintuitive to the action of nicotine as it clearly stimulates heart activity. Lastly, nicotine typically raises blood glucose levels due to the release of catecholamines and the consequent increase in hepatic glucose output, rather than lowering them. Therefore, the correct choice effectively summarizes the significant cardiovascular impact that nicotine exerts in tobacco use.