Waterpipe effects on pulmonary function and cardiovascular indices: a comparison to cigarette smoking in real life situation

Three groups were included in the study: non-smokers ( N = 42), WP smokers ( N = 42) and cigarette smokers ( N = 48). A questionnaire was completed for each participant, in addition to pulmonary function [forced expiratory volume at 1 s (FEV 1 ), 6 s (FEV 6 ), percentage of FEV 1 /FEV 6 ], and cardiovascular [diastolic blood pressure (DBP), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR)] measures, taken before and after smoking.

Results : Mean values of FEV 1 , FEV 6 , FEV 1 /FEV 6 , DBP and SBP in WP and cigarette smokers were very close. However, WP smoking significantly increased HR compared to cigarette smokers ( p = 0.007); duration of smoking, age at first WP and quantity of smoking affected pulmonary function and cardiovascular values. In the subgroup of WP smokers, DBP was acutely increased by a larger WP size ( p = 0.011), while the FEV 6 was acutely increased by a smaller WP size ( p = 0.045).

Conclusion : WP smoking affected the cardiovascular system more than cigarette smoking, while it had similar effects on pulmonary function.