Attenuated Valsalva heart rate response in subjects with smoking history: possible role of autonomic dysfunction

Summary. The effects of smoking habits on aotnomic cardiovascular heart rate reflexes were studied in 143 healthy subjects by using the Valsalva manoeuvre and deep breathing tests. Smoking seemed to cause attenuation of the Valsalva heart rate response. This attenuation was present also after adjustment for possible confounding factors including alcohol consumption. Our findings show that in subjects with smoking history there may occur dysfunction in some part of the autonomic reflex arch mediating the Valsalva heart rate response.