The short-term effects of abstention from tobacco by cigarette smokers on blood viscosity and related parameters

Abstract

Rheological measurements were made on the blood of 22 chronic cigarette smokers (8 males, 14 females) 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after complete abstention from smoking. Significant reductions were observed in blood viscosity at both high and low shear rates and in plasma viscosity. These changes could be related to alterations in packed cell volume and plasma fibrinogen concentration, both of which fell significantly over the same period. The male and female groups responded similarly. These data indicate that a significant improvement occurs in rheologically-related cardiovascular risk factors in cigarette smokers within two weeks of abstaining from tobacco.