Influence of cigarette smoking in the rate pressure product among young adults: a case control study from Manipal, India

Abstract

Background

Cigarette smoking is an important cause of mortality across the world, resulting in death of nearly six million people. Nearly 40% of the deaths are caused by cardiovascular disease and 20% are due to lung cancer. Cigarette smoking is said to increase the susceptibility towards vascular injuries by impacting phases of atherosclerosis, and altering blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and elevating plasma catecholamine levels. The objective of this study was to assess if cigarette smoking increases the rate pressure product (RPP) at rest and after standing in young adult light smokers compared to non-smokers.

Methods

30 young adult smokers and 30 non-smokers (19 - 24 years) were enrolled in this case control study. The smoking pack-years was calculated. Blood pressure (BP) was measured and RPP was calculated.  The mean values between both groups were compared using the univariate analysis of variance adjusted for confounding variables.

Results

The smoking pack-years was 1.6±1.0 (0.2-4.5). RPP in smokers was 88.8±8.0, 96.2±10.2 at rest and after standing respectively.  RPP in non-smokers at rest was 81.6±8.1 and 89.5±10.3 after standing. RPP was statistically significant in between both groups at rest.

Conclusion

Smoking increases the RPP significantly in young adult light smokers due to an increased HR when compared to non-smokers, at rest. This study reinforces that young adults who are light smokers have an increased workload on the heart, which affects their cardiac performance.