Habituation–sensitization of cardiovascular reactivity to repeated stress in smokers and non-smokers: An anthropometrically matched trial

Previous research has been equivocal as to the impact of smoking status on cardiovascular reactivity to challenge. In addition, little is known about patterns of cardiovascular response habituation–sensitization to repeated challenge, in either smokers or the general population as a whole. The present study sought to clarify whether smokers and non-smokers differ in cardiovascular reactivity to challenge, or in patterns of reactivity to repeated challenge. 28 smokers and 28 anthropometrically matched non-smokers underwent repeated cardiovascular reactivity assessment. Results suggest that smokers had higher diastolic blood pressure (DBP) than non-smokers, and that female non-smokers demonstrated DBP response sensitization. Findings highlight direct associations between smoking and cardiovascular reactivity of potential significance to the etiology of cardiovascular disease.