Vascular function is impaired early after the initiation of chronic cigarette smoking

Background: The aim of this study was to assess resistance artery function in short-term chronic cigarette smokers and non-smoking control subjects. Methods: Reactive hyperemia was assessed in 19 cigarette smokers (age 23 ± 1 years) and 19 non-smokers (age 23 ± 1 years). Results: Cigarette smokers demonstrated a 23% lower peak forearm blood flow response compared with non-smokers (15.81 ± 0.66 vs. 20.58 ± 1.26 mL/min/100 mL, p < 0.05) and a 22% lower area under the curve of the reactive hyperemia response (607 ± 51.57 vs. 775 ± 53.51 mL/min/100 mL × 3 min, p < 0.05). Conclusions: These results indicate that smoking-induced impairments of vascular function occur early after the initiation of chronic cigarette smoking.