Sympathovagal imbalance is enhanced by smoking in Saudi male young adults with prehypertension

  • Tarek Mohamed Ali [1]Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt, [2]Department of Medical Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
  • Laila Shehata Dorgham Department of Public Health, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
Keywords: Heart rate variability, Prehypertension, Smoking, Sympathovagal imbalance

Abstract

Background and Aim: Hypertension and smoking are among the most common universal risk factors for heart attack and stroke, involving the impairment of the autonomic nervous system. Therefore, in this study, we aim to investigate the contribution of smoking to sympathovagal imbalance (SVI) in prehypertension. Methods: Hundred and twenty‑two male subjects aged 19-30 years were classified into nonsmoker normotensive (n = 38), nonsmoker prehypertensive (n = 38), smoker normotensive (n = 30), and smoker prehypertensive (n = 16). SVI was assessed from low‑frequency power to high‑frequency power (LF‑HF ratio) and correlated with number of cigarette smoked/day in all the groups by Pearson's correlation. Results: LF‑HF ratio, LF and LF in normalized units were significantly (P < 0.001) increased and total power, HF and HF in normalized units were significantly (P < 0.001) decreased in prehypertensive subjects in comparison to normotensive subjects and these changes were more prominent in prehypertensive smokers. LF‑HF ratio was positively correlated to basal heart rate, blood pressure (BP) and number of cigarette smoked/day (P < 0.001) in prehypertensive smokers. Smoking was found to be an independent contributing factor to SVI (P < 0.001) among prehypertensives. Conclusion: In prehypertensive smokers, SVI was linked to number of cigarette smoking. Stopping smoking would enable to achieve the sympathovagal balance and BP homeostasis in prehypertensives.

Published
2016-01-29
How to Cite
Ali, T. M., & Dorgham, L. S. (2016). Sympathovagal imbalance is enhanced by smoking in Saudi male young adults with prehypertension. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Physiology, 3(1), 34-40. Retrieved from https://ijcep.org/index.php/ijcep/article/view/272