Various conditions can cause vasoconstriction, including exposure to cold, as previously mentioned, and in times of stress, where the body produces stress hormones (e.g., norepinephrine) that narrow blood vessels. Cigarette smoking can also tighten blood vessels due to its vasoconstrictive substances, such as nicotine, which binds to receptors on the surface of the muscles in blood vessel walls stimulating their contraction.
Additionally, vasoconstriction can result from using certain medications, such as nasal decongestants (e.g., pseudoephedrine), which constrict nasal vessels, causing decongestion of the nasal mucosa; as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are used for a variety of inflammatory conditions, including arthritis and the common cold. Moreover, vasoconstriction can be a sign of an underlying medical condition, like the Raynaud phenomenon, which is a condition characterized by vasoconstriction of arterioles, or small arteries, near the skin. This condition most often affects the fingers and toes, which changes the color of the affected digits to white, blue, and red. The most common triggers for Raynaud phenomenon are emotional stress and exposure to cold temperatures. Raynaud phenomenon can be primary (i.e., occur on its own) or secondary to other diseases, including connective tissue disorders (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma), as well as vasculitides, such as Buerger disease and Takayasu arteritis.