Assessment of Sympathetic Nerve Activity by Isometric Handgrip Test in Young Cigarette Smokers
Thilip Kumar Gnanadurai1, Hemamalini Ramasamy Vajravelu2, Prabhavathi Krishnan3, Balaji R4, Saravanan Ayyavoo5 and Jamuna Rani R61Department of PhysiologySRM Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre.
2Department of Community Medicine SRM Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre.
3Department of Pharmacology SRM Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre.
Abstract: Cigarette smoking is a worldwide major risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, acute myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death in the younger age in south Asia. Smoking affects the cardiovascular system by several mechanisms. The present study was planned to study the effect of smoking on sympathetic nerve activity by isometric handgrip test in normal healthy young adults. Hundred male subjects in the age group of 18 to 25 years were involved. It included 50 smokers and 50 non – smokers (control group).Sympathetic nerve activity was assessed by isometric hand grip test. BMI, hand grip strength, endurance time, blood pressure before and after hand grip, and diastolic difference were assessed and compared between both the groups. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 21. Student t test was performed to compare the variables between two groups.There was statistically significant increase in resting systolic pressure (p<0.01), diastolic Pressure (p<0.01), resting Heart Rate (p<0.01), resting mean arterial pressure (p<0.006), and significant diastolic pressure difference (p<0.001) in smokers when compared to nonsmokers. This reflects defect in sympathetic vasomotor tone.Thus the study concludes that smoking possibly has an effect on baroreflex suppression of sympathetic activation in habitual young smokers. Cessation of smoking is associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality and morbidity.
Keywords: Smoking; isometric handgrip exercises; sympathetic nerve; blood pressure Back to TOC