EFFECT OF TOBACCO AND ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES ON HEART RATE AND CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM IN SMOKERS

Abstract

Smoking is widespread among the young working population in Russia. Moreover, e-cigarettes are very popular among smokers as an alternative to traditional ones. The purpose of the study was to establish the effect of traditional cigarettes and modern e-cigarettes on the physiological characteristics of smokers, namely young people aged 18–21. Materials and Methods. The study involved young people agd 18–21 with at least 1 year of smoking experience and non-smokers. The trial participants were organized into three groups: a control group (non-smokers) and two experimental groups (traditional cigarette smokers and e-cigarette smokers). The research methods included physical tests, such as a breathing test, pressure measurements at rest, at load and after smoking, and calculation of cardiovascular state parameters. Results. During the experiment, no changes in blood pressure were observed in e-cigarette smokers.In traditional cigarette smokers, an increase in systolic blood pressure was observed at load. However, diastolic blood pressure was normal. It indicated a decrease in the distensibility of arterial vessels. An increase in heart rate was noted in both cigarette and e-cigarette smokers at load and immediately after smoking. The predominance of the sympathetic influence on the cardiovascular system was determined in all trial subjects. The obtained data indicated a violation in cardiovascular system activity in all subjects before and after exercise, and after smoking. At the same time, cardiovascular system activity deteriorated in the experimental groups after smoking. Under normal conditions and after exercise, all trial subjects showed tension in their adaptation mechanisms. After smoking in both experimental groups cardiovascular system adaptation potential was unsatisfactory. Conclusion. An assessment of physical parameters in smokers revealed a negative impact of tobacco and e-cigarettes on the cardiovascular system, namely on heart rate, regulation of cardiovascular system activity, adaptation mechanisms, which was likely to increase with smoking history.