Platelet aggregability, prehypertension, and heart rate in male smokers: An unwelcome circumstance for prothrombotic activity

Abstract

Background: Smoking makes the blood stickier and the blood cells clump together due to which there is reduced blood flow which further leads to blockages in the heart. Cigarette smoking globally known risk factor for public health and being responsible for many illnesses such as hypertension, lung cancer, coronary heart disease, and stroke. It has a negative impact on endothelial function which leads to thrombotic episodes by enhancing platelet aggregation and also important for developing hypertension. There are various mechanisms by which it affects the cardiovascular system. Nicotine, main ingredient, is said to increase cardiac output by increasing both heart rate (HR) and myocardial contractility. Aims and Objectives: Considering above known facts, the objectives were assessed in the form of platelet aggregability by method given by O’Brien and early prediction of hypertension in smokers and non-smokers by measuring blood pressure (BP) and resting HR. Materials and Methods: Platelet aggregability was measured by method given by O’Brien and BP was recorded using sphygmomanometer taking the average while radial pulse was taken for HR. Results: Our result shows that platelet aggregability and systolic BP with diastolic BP to be highly significantly P < 0.0000 in smokers along with statistically significant P < 0.05 resting HR. Conclusion: The study thus highlights the endothelial damage with increased sympathetic activity which leads to increased platelet activation and aggregation in smokers, prehypertension also worsens platelet activation, appropriate prevention measures needs to be implemented to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.