Smoking may be associated with lower rates of blood pressure control in patients taking medication for high blood pressure, according to a poster that will be presented during the ACC Latin America 2021 virtual conference, taking place Nov. 5-6.

Márcio Gonçalves de Sousa, MD, MIntMed, PhD, et al., performed a retrospective evaluation of a database of adult hypertension patients who were seen and treated between 2018 to 2019. Data from 710 patients (255 men, 455 women) with an average age of 66 years was analyzed. The study classified blood pressure measurements as controlled (<140/90 mmHg), Stage 1 (140-159 and/or 90-99 mmHg), Stage 2 (160-179 and/or 100-109 mmHg) and Stage 3 (>180 and/or over >100 mmHg). Researchers also recorded information on tobacco use and classified patients as never smokers, current smokers or former smokers.

Overall, blood pressure control rates were similar between men and women (36.1% vs. 32.5%, respectively), as was the prevalence of Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3 blood pressure. Among never smokers, blood pressure categorization did not differ by gender. Among male never smokers, 37.1% fell into the controlled blood pressure category compared to 34.9% of female never smokers. Current smokers were associated with lower rates of blood pressure control among men and women, with only 9.1% of male current smokers categorized as having controlled blood pressure and 25% of female current smokers categorized as having controlled blood pressure. Male former smokers had 37.6% blood pressure control, which is a similar rate to male never smokers, while female former smokers had 23.8% blood pressure control, demonstrating a residual risk even with smoking cessation, said Gonçalves de Sousa.

“Middle-aged men are known to have lower adherence to treatment. When associated with a disease that neglects their own health, such as smoking, this association becomes easier to understand,” Gonçalves de Sousa explains.

The researchers conclude that moving forward, behavioral factors and poor adherence to treatment are mechanisms that deserve further study.

“Undoubtedly, addressing smoking cessation will be the biggest lever in achieving full health, thus reinforcing the need for better adherence to treatment,” Gonçalves de Sousa said. “Although studies have not proven smoking cessation improves blood pressure control, we have found in clinical practice of resistant hypertensive patients that both smoking cessation and greater adherence to treatment are observed.”

The ACC Latin America 2021 virtual conference brings together top experts from around the globe to examine emerging trends and evidence-based strategies for the management of patients with cardiovascular disease. Led by co-chairs, B. Hadley Wilson, MD, FACC, chair-elect of ACC’s Governance Committee and executive vice-chair at the Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute in Charlotte, NC, and Cesar J. Herrera, MD, FACC, chair of ACC’s Global Heart Attack Initiative and director at CEDIMAT Cardiovascular Center in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, the conference underscores the importance of cardiovascular prevention, transforming community through top clinical trials, practically approaching guideline-driven care and strengthening professional networks.

To kick off the two-day conference, Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, MACC, editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, will present the Opening Plenary Session, “Cardiology XXI Century: ‘Imagenomics’ of the Heart and the Brain.” Attendees will be able to access dynamic virtual learning opportunities through the Virtual Learning Lab, including ACC’s ACCSAP, Heart Songs 5 and Rapid-Fire ECG.

Learn more about ACC Latin America 2021.

Clinical Topics: Prevention, Hypertension, Smoking

Keywords: Electrocardiography, Myocardial Infarction, Cardiology, Brain, Tobacco Use, Smoking, Hypertension, Blood Pressure Determination, Data Management, Dominican Republic, Retrospective Studies, Prevalence, Cardiovascular Diseases, Latin America, Smoking Cessation, Blood Pressure, ACC International

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