Novel Aspects of Differences in Arterial Stiffness Parameters during Short Abstinent Period in Smokers vs. Non-smokers

Although the effects of smoking on hemodynamics and arterial stiffness has already been evaluated from many aspects, self-controlled and 24-h data have remained a missing area. Ten healthy light smokers were examined in a cross-sectional observational study for 48 h [smoking was prohibited during the first 24 h (non-smoking day) and allowed during the second 24 h (smoking day)] with an oscillometric device. Control group consisted of ten healthy non-smokers. Peripheral blood pressures were significantly higher on the smoking day (134.11 ± 11.02 and 77.11 ± 10.64) than on the non-smoking day (127.23 ± 8.41, p = 0.017 and 71.25 ± 10.47, p = 0.02) or among non-smokers (120.80 ± 5.77, p = 0.005 and 68.37 ± 4.87, p = 0.04). Heart rate was significantly lower on the non-smoking day (64.89 ± 9.03) than among non-smokers (74.30 ± 8.22, p = 0.03) and on the smoking day (76.09 ± 10.53, p = 0.001). Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) was significantly higher on the smoking day (7.48 ± 1.17) than on the non-smoking day (7.00 ± 1.28, p = 0.03). Peripheral blood pressure results confirmed that smoking leads to both acute and subchronic elevation. Lower heart rate of smokers on the non-smoking day than non-smokers can be the consequence of improper heart rate adaptation to everyday activities. PWV values improved during the one-day long abstinent period suggesting that it is the most sensitive stiffness value to smoking cessation.