Light Smoking Even Affects Young Adults Arteries

Studies have recently noted that smoking just one cigarette stiffens the arteries of young adults by almost 25%. Researchers explained how the stiffer a persons arteries, the greater the risk for heart disease or stroke. Studies measured arterial stiffness in smokers and non-smokers at rest and after exercise, from the ages of 18-30. When establishing a baseline measurement, smokers who consumed 5-6 cigarettes a day were asked to refrain from having a single cigarette for at least 12 hours prior to their first exercise assessment. Before the second assessment test, smokers were allowed to have just one cigarette. Prior to the final test, they were then asked to chew a piece of nicotine gum.

Following the exercise test, arterial stiffness in non-smokers decreased 3.6%. But the smoker’s arterial stiffness increased by more than 2% following exercise. In smokers the stiffness increased by 12.6% after chewing the nicotine gum and 24.5% prior to having one cigarette. There was no difference between the smokers and non-smokers arterial stiffness while at rest.

The study results are said to be significant because they suggest that smoking a just a few cigarettes a day impacts the health of individual’s arteries. This development was revealed clearly when these young people in the study were placed under physical dis-stress, in this case being exercise.

The Team at i-Supplements.com

Are you getting the best deal on your favorite supplements? Look no further than www.i-Supplements.com to find everything you’re looking for and more at the lowest prices on the web!