Arterial blood pressure in smokers versus non-smokers: an epidemiological study

ABSTRACT

To find out the smoking-blood pressure [B.P.] relationship, an epidemiologic study of smoking and B.P. in a working population [1566 males] is presented. The study population comprised group I [975 males, mean age 30 +/- 5 years] and group 11 [591 males, mean age 48 +/- 6 years]. Each main group was subdivided into non-smokers, light smokers, heavy smokers and ex-smokers subgroups. Subjects with evidence of cardiovascular diseases, family history of hypertension and/or drugs that may affect B.P. were excluded. Physical examination included weight, height and B.P. measurement. It was found that systolic B.P., diastolic B.P. and mean B.P. were lower in heavy smokers than non-smokers, while in light smokers and ex-smokers B.P. was similar to non smokers in both young and old age groups. There was a negative correlation between systolic, diastolic and mean B.P. on one hand and duration of smoking and number of cigarettes smoked per-day on the other hand. The lower B.P. in heavy smokers could not be explained by relative weight; however, it appears to be a reversible phenomenon. Smoking- B.P. negative correlation is confirmed, this finding indicates that the role of smoking as a risk factor for hypertension is not sure. This observation should clearly not detract the well described synergistic effect of smoking and hypertension on the atherosclerotic process and the adverse effect on health in general