|| Bioinfo Publications || 35 Not for Distribution World Research Journal of Applied Medicinal Chemistry ISSN: 2230-9314 & E-ISSN: 2230-9322, Volume 2, Issue 1, 2013, pp. 035-036. Available online at http://www.bioinfopublication.org/jouarchive.php?opt=&jouid=BPJ0000275 NAVEED S. 1 *, ISHAQ H. 2 , RUKH R. 1 AND KAFEEL H. 1 1 Faculty of Pharmacy, Jinnah University for Women, Karachi, Pakistan. 2 Faculty of Pharmacy, Hamdard University, Karachi, Pakistan. *Corresponding Author: Email- safila117@gmail.com Received: November 06, 2013; Accepted: December 05, 2013 Introduction The use of tobacco epidemic is worldwide. In contrast, extensive use of chewing tobacco and other forms of smokeless tobacco is largely restricted to certain geographical areas such as North Amer- ica, the Scandinavian countries [1], India, Bangladesh and Pakistan [2]. The prevalence of use of snuff and other types of smokeless tobacco is particularly high in several southern and southwestern states [3]. Tobacco is often used in certain subsets of a population, such as athletes [4], male adolescents and young adults [5]. Survey has revealed that as many as a quarter of white male students in the U.S. report regular use of smokeless tobacco [6]. Many forms of ST smokeless tobacco products exist worldwide. In the USA the predominant forms of these products are snuff (moist and dry) and chewing tobacco. (ST) Smokeless tobacco products have also been collectively referred to as spit tobacco. These prod- ucts are manufactured through a wide variety of processes (finely ground/shredded tobacco or powdered tobacco). These products contain any additives, some of which are added for flavor (sugar, nuts, spices, and oils) and some, such as NH4CO3 ammonium car- bonate and Na2CO3 sodium carbonate alkaline buffers of which are applied to increase the pH and therefore the level of unprotonated nicotine and the nicotine is released by chewing. Unprotonated or free base nicotine is more readily absorbed than protonated or ion- ized nicotine [7]. Hypertension is a strong predictor of future CV events such as MI and stroke and determination of the impact of ST product use on the development of hypertension is common [8,9]. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether long-term exposure to tobacco, gutka is associated with an excess risk of Hypertension or cardiovascular disease in users compared with nonusers and to compare this potential excess risk among male female, and marital status also. Materials and Methods A sample of 108 individuals (males & females) were taken from different areas of Karachi. The individuals were selected on the basis of using different type of tobacco, gutka users. Lists of differ- ent questions were asked on use of tobacco, gutka and the different disease specially hypertension of the participants. The family histo- ry, cardiovascular problems associated with the use of tobacco products of the participants. A questionnaire based on eating of chewing tobacco, gutka behav- iors in male, female and married, unmarried adults was conducted. This survey asked about typical habits or daily routine of taking tobacco products, weight status, and different disease related be- havioral data were asked. Questionnaire based survey was con- ducted among married/unmarried, male/female, socioeconomic status in which they were asked about their history and health prob- lems associated with use of tobacco such as high blood pressure, heart diseases, high cholesterol levels and any allergic profile. After completion this survey thanked the subject for the active participa- tion in the study. Result and Discussion The main aim of this study is to summarize evidence regarding cardiovascular risk and tobacco product use, specifically focusing on comparisons between tobacco users who have never smoked cigarettes and a reference group members who also have never smoked or used any form of tobacco. The concerns about expand- ed and increased use of chewing tobacco products in the general population, male female, married unmarried and their status in soci- ety and compare with disease. In this study chewing tobacco, gutka had no overall excess risk for HT. In summary, data from the survey do not support an increase in the incidence or prevalence of hyper- World Research Journal of Applied Medicinal Chemistry ISSN: 2230-9314 & E-ISSN: 2230-9322, Volume 2, Issue 1, 2013 Abstract- To explore whether the use of tobacco the risk of hypertension. various forms of smokeless tobacco products (snuff, chewing tobac- co, gutka) are used by individuals of all ages. Possible health hazards associated with the use of tobacco remain controversial. It has been shown that use of smokeless tobacco during which nicotine is absorbed produces maximum blood levels of nicotine similar to those produced by cigarette smoking and results in a larger overall exposure to nicotine owing to prolonged absorption. In a population-based study tobacco habits were compared in 30- to 80-year-old men and women with first-time hypertension and referent subjects matched for age. The odd ratio (OR) for HTN in regular tobacco user as compared with men with tobacco user and taking gutka is 1.07 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.652 to 1.448) Chi square value. The risk of HT in smokers is 3%. However there was highly significant correlation of smoking with socioeconomic condition (Correlation coefficient 0.282 (p = 0.003). There was another significant relationship between HTN and marital status (correlation coefficient 0.318 (P = 0.001). Keywords- Tobacco, Hypertension, p value SMOKELESS TOBACCO AS A POSSIBLE RISK FACTOR FOR HYPERTENSION: A POPULATION BASED STUDY IN KARACHI