Effect of Exercise on the Blood Pressure of Cigarette Smokers

Cigarette smoking is a known risk factor of many cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to determine if exercise may reduce the risk of hypertension amongst smokers. One hundred subjects (including fifty smokers and fifty non smokers) aged; 18 to 55 years who gave oral consent were randomly selected to participate. Their blood pressures were recorded before, immediately after, 10minutes and 20minutes after a skipping exercise respectively. The result showed a slight decrease in the 20-minute post exercise mean systolic blood pressure of both smokers and non smokers, although not significantly. There was also no significant difference between the 20-minute post exercise and baseline mean diastolic blood pressures of both smokers and non smokers. However, the 20-minute post exercise blood pressures of smokers were significantly higher than their non smoker controls. This is probably due to the vasoconstrictor effect of nicotine which increases peripheral resistance. Therefore, in attempting to quit smoking, smokers should also be encouraged to engage in mild to moderate exercise. 

Cigarette smoking is a known risk factor of many cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to determine if exercise may reduce the risk of hypertension amongst smokers. One hundred subjects (including fifty smokers and fifty non smokers) aged; 18 to 55 years who gave oral consent were randomly selected to participate. Their blood pressures were recorded before, immediately after, 10minutes and 20minutes after a skipping exercise respectively. The result showed a slight decrease in the 20-minute post exercise mean systolic blood pressure of both smokers and non smokers, although not significantly. There was also no significant difference between the 20-minute post exercise and baseline mean diastolic blood pressures of both smokers and non smokers. However, the 20-minute post exercise blood pressures of smokers were significantly higher than their non smoker controls. This is probably due to the vasoconstrictor effect of nicotine which increases peripheral resistance. Therefore, in attempting to quit smoking, smokers should also be encouraged to engage in mild to moderate exercise.