Is former smoking associated with elevated arterial pressure?

Former smokers exhibit decreased cardiovascular risk as compared to smokers who continue to smoke, However, smoking discontinuation results in weight gain which may be important and influence arterial pressure. From January Ist to June 30th, 1998, 12,417 volunteers (aged 20 to 69) were examined at the "Institut regional pour la sante" (IRSA, Regional Institut e for Health), a group of 9 social medical centres in Western and Central F rance. The subjects were screened for a routine medical and biological chec k-up provided by their medical insurance. All of the subjects were intervie wed by a trained nurse who completed a standardised questionnaire regarding personal medical history, current treatments and lifestyle behaviours (esp ecially alcohol and smoking habits). A physician recorded clinical paramete rs including age, weight, height, systolic and diastolic arterial pressure. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Non smokers and former smokers represented 40.0% and 23.8% of the populatio n respectively. The prevalence of a BMI 27.0 kg/m(2) or greater was higher in former smokers than non smokers and current smokers. Systolic and diastolic arterial pressure in former smokers exceeded those o f current smokers and non smokers by 4.2/1.1 mmHg and 2.8/1.6 mmHg respecti vely. Using logistic regression analysis, the relative risk of hypertension in fo rmer smokers was 1.24 (C195%: 1.10-1.39, p<0.001) and 1.13 (0.995-1.29. p=0 .055) as compared to non smokers and current smokers, after adjustment for age and alcohol intake. Differences became non significant when BMI was ent ered in the model. The results of the present study suggest that former smoking status is asso ciated with a higher prevalence of overweight which may cause a higher prev alence of hypertension.