CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS FURTHER IMPAIR ARTERIAL STIFFNESS, ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION AND ARTERIAL AGE IN ACTIVE SMOKERS

Objective: The objective of the present paper was to evaluate the influence of hypertension, overweight and obesity, family history of cardiovascular disease and sedentary lifestyle on arteriography variables in active smokers. Design and method: A total of 89 active smokers underwent arteriography. Additional data about smoking habits, body mass index, family history of cardiovascular disease and activity level were collected. Blood pressure variables, pulse wave velocity, brachial augmentation index and arterial age were measured. Results: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, brachial augmentation index, pulse wave velocity, arterial age and smoking pack years were: 124 ± 15 mmHg, 72 ± 11 mmHg, -41 ± 29 %, 8.77 ± 4 m/s, 41 ± 17 years and 8.78 ± 1.15, respectively. The best predictors of arterial stiffness were heavy smoking and hypertension (OR = 12.8 and 10, respectively), hypertension and an elevated body mass index for early arterial aging (OR = 1.45 and 1.092, respectively), and overweight and obesity for endothelial dysfunction (OR = 3.957). No additive or synergistic effects were noticed for heavy smoking and hypertension or the other mentioned cardiovascular risk factors on arterial stiffness, endothelial dysfunction or early arterial aging. Conclusions: Cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, overweight, obesity, family history of cardiovascular disease and sedentary lifestyle further impair pulse wave velocity, endothelial function and arterial age in active smokers, but the effects are not additive.