Changes of Arterial stiffness after 1-year follow-up in outpatients

Abstract

Results: Chronic smokers usually display hypertension (mean blood pressure: systolic BP 165+/-18 mmHg and diastolic BP 92+/-6 mmHg). 265 pts (52%) who early stopped smoking displayed a significant reduction in BP, mainly systolic BP (mean BP of 147+/-11 mmHg)and 23 of these pts (9%) also showed ischemic heart disease. On the contrary, 243 pts (48%) who stopped smoking several years later (> 22 years)from their beginning showed mean systolic BP of 169+/-22 mmHg and ischemic heart disease (168 pts, 69%). Therefore, two types of response have been clearly documented: reduction and prevention of further vascular damage in the presence of reversible lesions characterized by endothelial changes due to endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerotic inflammatory lesions, and structural harm of endothelial cells in presence of lowering systolic BP. Irreversible firm atherosclerosis with plaque formation and its complications of arterial wall primarily caused by carbon monoxide in the coronary arteries as well as arteriolosclerosis in the microcirculation with progressive organ failure characterized late quitters. Conclusion: Prevention and reduction of cardiovascular damage has been documented in presence of reversible alterations, while progression in case of firm vascular changes was the result of late quitting smoking with an increase in BP and appearance of ischemic heart disease, which were partly independent from smoking cessation.