AJP - Heart and Circulatory Physiology, Vol 273, Issue 3 1555-H1560, Copyright © 1997 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Smoking impairs baroreflex sensitivity in humans

G. Mancia, A. Groppelli, M. Di Rienzo, P. Castiglioni and G. Parati
Cattedra di Medicina Interna I, Ospedale S. Gerardo, Monza, Italy.

In 10 healthy smokers, finger blood pressure was recorded continuously for 1 h in a supine control condition and for 1 h while smoking four cigarettes, one every 15 min. Smoking increased average systolic blood pressure (+19%, P < 0.01) and its variability and reduced pulse interval (reciprocal of heart rate, -22%, P < 0.01) and its variability. Baroreflex sensitivity, as assessed by the slope of spontaneous hypertension/bradycardia or hypotension/tachycardia sequences and by the alpha-coefficient (squared ratio between pulse interval and systolic blood pressure spectral powers at 0.1 Hz) was significantly decreased (P < 0.01) during smoking, whereas there were no effects of smoking on the reflex changes in pulse interval induced by carotid baroreceptor stimulation through a neck suction device. Sham smoking by a drinking straw had no effects on any of the above parameters. Thus, when assessed in the absence of laboratory maneuvers in daily life conditions, baroreflex sensitivity is markedly impaired by smoking. This impairment may contribute to the smoking-induced increase in blood pressure and heart rate as well as to the concomitant alterations in their variability.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Gamboa, C. Shibao, A. Diedrich, L. Choi, B. Pohar, J. Jordan, S. Paranjape, G. Farley, and I. Biaggioni Contribution of Endothelial Nitric Oxide to Blood Pressure in Humans Hypertension, January 1, 2007; 49(1): 170 - 177. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Keyl, A. Schneider, A. Gamboa, L. Spicuzza, N. Casiraghi, A. Mori, R. T. Ramirez, F. Leon-Velarde, and L. Bernardi Autonomic cardiovascular function in high-altitude Andean natives with chronic mountain sickness J Appl Physiol, January 1, 2003; 94(1): 213 - 219. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. M. Legramante, G. Raimondi, M. Massaro, and F. Iellamo Positive and Negative Feedback Mechanisms in the Neural Regulation of Cardiovascular Function in Healthy and Spinal Cord-Injured Humans Circulation, March 6, 2001; 103(9): 1250 - 1255. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Kardos, G. Watterich, R. de Menezes, M. Csanady, B. Casadei, and L. Rudas Determinants of Spontaneous Baroreflex Sensitivity in a Healthy Working Population Hypertension, March 1, 2001; 37(3): 911 - 916. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Zhang, K. Behbehani, C. G. Crandall, J. H. Zuckerman, and B. D. Levine Dynamic regulation of heart rate during acute hypotension: new insight into baroreflex function Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, January 1, 2001; 280(1): H407 - H419. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Kobayashi, Z. B. Cheng, and S. Nosaka Inhibition of baroreflex vagal bradycardia by nasal stimulation in rats Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, January 1, 1999; 276(1): H176 - H184. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Minami, T. Ishimitsu, and H. Matsuoka Effects of Smoking Cessation on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Variability in Habitual Smokers Hypertension, January 1, 1999; 33(1): 586 - 590. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Narkiewicz, P. J.H. van de Borne, M. Hausberg, R. L. Cooley, M. D. Winniford, D. E. Davison, and V. K. Somers Cigarette Smoking Increases Sympathetic Outflow in Humans Circulation, August 11, 1998; 98(6): 528 - 534. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]