Heart Rate and Carbon Monoxide Level After Smoking High-, Low-, and Non-Nicotine Cigarettes

Abstract

Ten cigarette smokers with angina pectoris had blood pressure, heart rate, and expired-air carbon monoxide measurements before and after smoking each of five high-, low-, and non-nicotine cigarettes. There was a significant increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure after smoking each high- and low-nicotine cigarette, with a significant increase in peak systolic and diastolic blood pressure from cigarette 1 to cigarette 5. There was a significant increase in heart rate after smoking each high- and low-nicotine cigarette but no significant increase in peak heart rate from cigarette 1 to cigarette 5. There was no significant increase in blood pressure or heart rate after smoking a non-nicotine cigarette. There was a significant increase in carbon monoxide level after smoking each high-, low-, and non-nicotine cigarette, with a significant increase in peak carbon monoxide level from cigarette 1 to cigarette 5.