Evaluation of the effect of exercise on electrocardiographic readings amongst and non smokers.

Abstract

Background: Nicotine, the main tobacco ingredient, increases blood coagulation, which in turn increases heart rate, blood pressure, and the vulnerability to ventricular fibrillation. The present study was conducted to assess the electrophysiological and cardiovascular variations in the heart and circulation. AIM:The objective of this study was to compare the effect  ofexercise on ECG variations and cardiovascular parameters in a healthy smoker and non-smoker male. Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study recruited and equally divided a total of 100 healthy, aged 20 - 25-year smokers (using an average of 10-15 cigarettes per day for at least five years) and non-smokers male medical students. All the subjects were asked to abstain from smoking and caffeine beverages, 48 hours before the recording of all parameters. Baseline pulse and blood pressure were taken, whereas ECG parameters were recorded by using BIOPAC in both groups in the Department of Physiology, Nalanda Medical College and Hospital, Patna. All these parameters were measured again after performing 30 minutes of exercise on a standard ergometer. A p-value ≤0.05 was considered significant. Results: After exercise, the ECG variations showed significant increase in pulse rate by 7.1% (p= 0.001), systolic blood pressure by 9.7% (p= <0.001), diastolic blood pressure by 11.25% (p= <0.001), heart rate by 17.3% (p= 0.015) ST-segment by 2% (p= <0.001) and QTc interval was prolonged by 2.9% (p= 0.001). Whereas,a significant decrease in QRS complex was noticed by 20.0% (p= <0.001) among smokers as compared to non-smokers. However, a negative correlation was seen between systolic, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse rate with ECG variations. Conclusion: It is concluded that smoking causes major changes  inECG and cardiovascular parameters after exercise, indicating cardiovascular risk. So in earlier stages, abstinence from smoking can revert the cardiovascular changes to nearly normal. Physicians may use this as a tool for counseling smokers to stop smoking as early aspossible.

Keywords: Blood pressure, Exercise, Electrocardiography, Smoking.