Abstract

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ARTERIAL STIFFNESS INDICES BETWEEN SMOKERS & NON SMOKERS

Author(s):Prabha V, Pratima Buhutkar, Milind Bhutkar, Sivagami G

Arterial stiffening is recognized as a critical precursor of cardiovascular disease. Smoking is one of the modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle modification is clinical efficacious therapeutic interventions for preventing and treating arterial stiffening. Hence, the current study is designed to compare the Arterial Stiffness Indices between smokers & non smokers. The study involved 55 non smokers & 55 smokers within the age group of 30-50 years. Peripheral Pulse Wave was recorded by Digital Volume Pulse in both non smokers & smokers. Arterial stiffness indices were calculated. Arterial Stiffness Index = Patients Height / Transit time [Transit time → Time delay between systolic peak & Diastolic peak] Reflection Index = Magnitude of Diastolic peak / Magnitude of Systolic Peak. Arterial Stiffness Index & Reflection Index were highly significant in smokers than nonsmokers, p<0.001. The increased arterial stiffness indices in smokers suggest that the cigarette smoke damages the vascular endothelium.

• PDF