Effects of cigarette smoking on brachial ankle pulse wave velocity in young male and female subjects

Abstract

 The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cigarette smoking on brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in young male and female subjects. Hypertensive and obese subjects were excluded. Twenty one male subjects were divided into 9 smokers and 12 nonsmokers. Twenty two female subjects were divided into 10 smokers and 13 nonsmokers. The mean cumulative nicotine consumption of male and female smokers were 8.1±3.4 pack/years and 4.1±2.4pack/years, respectively. Nutrient intake between smokers and nonsmokers in male and female subjects were not significantly different. In male subjects, mean baPWV was significantly higher in smokers than in nonsmokers. In female subjects, such difference was not observed. The results of this study suggest that cigarette smoking can accelerate arterial stiffness degree in young male smokers.