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Comparative Study
. 2005 Jul;10(3):324-9.
doi: 10.1111/j.1542-474X.2005.00636.x.

Cigarette smoking and heart rate variability: dynamic influence of parasympathetic and sympathetic maneuvers

Irfan Barutcu  1 , Ali Metin Esen, Dayimi Kaya, Muhsin Turkmen, Osman Karakaya, Mehmet Melek, Ozlem Batukan Esen, Yelda Basaran
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Cigarette smoking and heart rate variability: dynamic influence of parasympathetic and sympathetic maneuvers

Irfan Barutcu et al. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol. 2005 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Cigarette smoking has been associated with increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system. In this study, we investigated cardiac autonomic function in heavy smokers and nonsmoker controls by analysis of heart rate variability (HRV).

Method: Twenty-four long-term heavy smokers (men) and twenty-two nonsmoker subjects (hospital staff) were included to study. Time domain [mean R-R interval (RR), the standard deviation of R-R interval index (SDNN), and the root mean square of successive R-R interval differences (RMSSD)] and frequency domain [high frequency (HF) low frequency (LF), and LF/HF ratio] parameters of HRV were obtained from all participants after 15 minutes resting period in supine position (S), during controlled respiration (CR), and handgrip exercise (HGE) over 5-minute periods.

Results: Baseline SDNN and RMSSD values were found to be lower in smokers than in nonsmokers. (64+/-10 vs 78+/-22, P<0.05 and 35+/-12 vs 54+/-30 ms, P<0.05). Baseline LF/HF ratio was also found to be higher in smokers than in nonsmokers (1.3+/-0.6 vs 0.9+/-0.5 ms, P<0.05). The other HRV parameters including R-R interval, LF, and HF were not significantly different. During CR, expected increase in RR, SDNN, and RMSSD did not occur in smokers, while it did occur in nonsmokers. Most HRV indices were significantly affected by HGE in both groups. In addition, the duration of smoking was found to be inversely correlated with RMSSD and HF and positively correlated with LF/HF ratio.

Conclusion: Vagal modulation of the heart is blunted in heavy smokers, particularly during a parasympathetic maneuver. Blunted autonomic control of the heart may partly be associated with adverse event attributed to cigarette smoking.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The change in mean RR (A), SDNN (B), and RMSSD (C) during three phases of the study in both groups. S, supine; CR, controlled respiration; and HGE, Handgrip exercise.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The relationship between the duration of smoking and RMSSD (A), HF (B), and LF/HF ratio (C).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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