Acute haemodynamic effects of cigarette smoking in healthy young subjects.
BACKGROUND
Invasive studies in middle-aged patients suggest an acute adverse haemodynamic effect of smoking.


OBJECTIVE
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.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that healthor young age do not protect from the adverse effects of smoking.
Zamir
Z
Z
Dept of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8.
Mahmud
A
A
Feely
J
J
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000097:blood; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000502:physiology
D009538:Nicotine