Acute haemodynamic effects of cigarette smoking in healthy young subjects
1Dept of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8.
Background:
Invasive studies in middle-aged patients suggest an acute adverse haemodynamic effect of smoking.
Aims:
To study acute changes in blood pressure (BP), cardiac output, peripheral resistance and aortic compliance following cigarette smoking in healthy young subjects.
Methods:
Using a non-invasive photoplethysmographic technique we compared the effects of smoking one cigarette with sham smoking in 12 healthy volunteers (22-25 years). Data was analysed using JMP version 5.0.
Results:
In contrast to sham smoking there was a prompt increase in blood pressure with a maximum effect at 15 min (123 +/- 7/75 +/- 5 to 143 +/- 6/86 +/- 6 mmHg, mean +/- SEM, p < 0.01) which is attributed to a rise in cardiac output (p < 0.05) rather than changes in peripheral vascular resistance. There was also a significant (p < 0.05) increase in heart rate and a reduction in aortic compliance.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that healthor young age do not protect from the adverse effects of smoking.
