International Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders(IJDMD)
ISSN: 2475-5451 | DOI: 10.33140/IJDMD
Impact Factor: 1.23
Effects of Khat Chewing on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Among Students in Thamar University
Abstract
Aziz S. Alzendani, Hussain M. Algarmozi, Salah Alshawki, Khaled Saleh, Mohammed H. Al-Dholae, Dhaifullah Jayed, Mohamed Ali Al-Huthi, Jamil M. Alrajhi, Saleem M. Alrabyee, Ali M. Raha, Kharif M. Alqudimi, Saddam H. Althegri, Salem M. Alsagheer and Ali Ahmed Al-Zaazaai
Background: The khat is deeply rooted in Yemeni societies and become a part of their social live. Cathinone and cathine are considered as the main components of khat and they are structurally and functionally similar to amphetamine for their effects on sympathetic nervous system. Khat effect on CVS through elevation of blood pressure, heart rate and inducing vasospasm, and there are many reports that link khat chewing to cardiovascular disorders.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study performed among 150 students from different colleges and levels in Thamar university who used to chew khat between Oct 2019 and Fab 2020. First we offered them questionnaire for information about khat chewing habits and for risk factors of hypertension, then we measured weight and height to calculate BMI and then properly measured blood pressure and heart rate 30 minutes before and 3 hours after chewing khat session.
Results: We concluded that khat chewing is associated with significant increase in blood pressure and heart rate with mean difference of 11 mmHg in SBP, 8 mmHg in DBP and 11 heart rate per minute after 3 hours of chewing khat. In addition, we found that a total number of 44 of students had DBP of more than 90 mmHg compared to only 11 before chewing khat.
Conclusion: Khat chewing has significant rise in blood pressure and heart rate that can lead to adverse consequences on cardiovascular system and increase the incidence of hypertension, AMI, cardiomyopathy, and other cardiovascular disorders, so legal restriction for the widespread use of khat should be applied and extensive education programs about its effects on CVS and other systems should be done.