DOES LONG-TERM SMOKING AFFECT AORTIC STIFFNESS MORE IN WOMEN THAN IN MEN

Smoking is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease, althou gh understanding of the pathophysiological mechanism is incomplete. Th e effect of heavy smoking, for more than 20 years and of 20 cigarettes per day, on aortic stiffness was studied in women (n = 23, age range 43-61 years) and men (n = 21, age range 43-61 years) who smoked but we re otherwise healthy and compared with a healthy reference population that did not smoke. Aortic stiffness (beta) was calculated from the di ameter and the pulsatile diameter change determined non-invasively usi ng an ultrasonic echo-tracking system and blood pressure obtained by t he auscultatory method. The results showed that aortic diameter did no t differ in smoking males (P = 0.974) or in smoking females (P = 0.361 ). Aortic stiffness was increased in the female (P = 0.041) but not ma le smokers (P = 0.222). Systolic, mean and diastolic blood pressure in the men and women who smoked did not differ from those in the healthy reference population. In conclusion, this investigation shows increas ed aortic stiffness in female but not in male smokers. It indicates th at the aorta of women might be more vulnerable to smoking with regard to stiffening and degeneration than the aorta of men.