Study of effect of smoking on blood pressure in normotensive men

Study of effect of smoking on blood pressure in normotensive men.

Introduction: Though smoking has been conclusively found to cause significant cardiovascular morbidity, the literature on the topic of effect of smoking on blood pressure seem to show contradictory results. Objective: The aim of this study was to find out the effect of smoking on blood pressure. Methodology: A total of 2190 workers in a factory in south India were examined. A detailed history and examination was done on all the subjects. After six months, the same subjects were examined again. The statistical analysis applied in our study design was analysis of Co-variance [ANCOVA or ANOCOVA]. Results: In the age group of 20 to 40 years, the systolic and diastolic blood pressure was highest in the heavy smokers. In the 41 to 60 year group also the systolic blood pressure was highest in the heavy smokers, but the diastolic blood pressure was highest in the non-smokers. Blood pressure was found to be high in those who consumed alcohol and lower in those who engaged in sports. Conclusions: From this study we concluded that there was a rise in systolic blood pressure in smokers as compared to non-smokers. Blood pressure was also high in those who consumed alcohol and lower in those who engaged in sports.