Comparative Study of Electrocardiographic Parameters among Tobacco Smokers and Tobacco Chewers

Background and Aim: Nicotine and other components of cigarette can produce profound changes in the heart, which can be assessed by doing electrocardiogram (ECG). The present study compares the vitals and ECG parameters among tobacco non-smokers (controls), tobacco smokers and tobacco chewers. Methods: One hundred and fifty healthy male volunteers, age group of 18-25 years from outpatient department, were included for the study. The subjects were divided into group 1 (control, n=50), group 2 (tobacco smokers, n=50) and group 3 (tobacco chewers, n=50). Subjects were asked to abstain tobacco and beverages consumption 2 hours prior to recording ECG. The subject’s vital: blood pressure and ECG parameters: heart rate, QT interval, QTc (corrected QT interval) were recorded in physiology lab of Nobel Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Nepal. Results: The data analysis was done by independent student “t” test. The data analysis showed significant increase in blood pressure on comparison of group 1 with group 2 (p=0.001) and group 3 (p=0.001) respectively. The data analysis of ECG parameters also showed decrease in QT and QTc (corrected QT) comparing group 1 with group 2 (p=0.001) and group 3 (p=0.001) separately which was highly significant. There was significantly increase in heart rate on comparison of group 1 separately with group 2 and group 3. Conclusion: The study concluded that the consumption of either smoked or chewed form of tobacco adversely affects cardiovascular system.