The effects of acute smoking and oral contraceptive (OC) use on cardiovascular, lipid, and fibrinogen stress responses were examined in 52 female smokers and nonsmokers, half of whom were using OCs. Women smoked or sham-smoked a cigarette and then performed 2 stressful tasks. Stress elicited increases in total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and in triglycerides among women who smoked, and in fibrinogen among all women. Smokers who used OCs had greater blood pressure increases to smoking and to stress than did smokers who did not use OCs. OC use was also associated with enhanced total peripheral resistance stress responses among women who smoked and cardiac output stress responses among women who sham-smoked. Results suggest that OC use moderates cardiovascular reactivity in smokers but not nonsmokers, enhancing vascular responsivity to smoking combined with stress and myocardial responsivity to stress alone.
PIP: This study examined the association between the use of oral contraceptives (OCs) and the hemodynamic stress responses of nonsmokers, abstinent and recent smokers, and the effects of acute smoking and OC use on stress-related changes in atherogenic lipid and fibrinogen levels. The study comprised 52 female smokers and nonsmokers, with half using OCs. Women were asked to perform two stressful activities after smoking or sham-smoking. An increase in total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides was observed among women who smoked, and in fibrinogen among all women. Systolic Blood Pressure was higher among women who smoked and used OCs, while higher diastolic blood pressure was found among women who smoked regardless of OC use. The use of OCs resulted in an increase in the total peripheral resistance stress responses among female smokers and increased cardiac output among women who sham-smoked. Results suggest that cardiovascular reactivity is moderated by OC use in smokers but not in nonsmokers, while vascular responsivity is enhanced when combined with stress.