Key result
Cigarette smoking combined with psychological stress doubled the ~12 mmHg SBP, 9 mmHg DBP, and 15 bpm HR increases observed with either smoking or stress alone.
Why the study?
Does the combination of cigarette smoking and psychological stress increase cardiovascular parameters more than either factor alone in smokers?
RCT (n=51)
2x2 factorial
Does the combination of cigarette smoking and psychological stress increase cardiovascular parameters more than either factor alone in smokers?
The combination of cigarette smoking and psychological stress produces a synergistic increase in blood pressure and heart rate, which may heighten the risk for coronary disease.
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Urges caution with smoking during stress due to amplified BP/HR responses; extends RCT evidence of synergistic CV effects.
MacDougall et al. (1983) conducted an RCT in Smokers (n=51). Cigarette smoking and psychological stress vs. Sham smoking and no stress was evaluated on Changes in cardiovascular parameters (SBP, DBP, HR). Cigarette smoking combined with psychological stress doubled the ~12 mmHg SBP, 9 mmHg DBP, and 15 bpm HR increases observed with either smoking or stress alone.
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