The rheological properties of blood have important effects on blood circulation. Chronic cigarette smoke is a generally accepted major cardiovascular risk factor, but the mechanisms by which it promotes ischaemic vascular diseases are not fully understood. The changes might contribute to an explanation of how chronic smoking alters the rheological behaviour of red blood cells and increases both plasma and blood viscosity in ischaemic vascular disease. We have now assessed 25 healthy controls and 25 chronic smokers for their erythrocyte deformability, plasma and blood viscosity and Htc, and also determined erythrocyte cholesterol, total and cholinated phospholipids. When we compared healthy controls with chronic smokers, erythrocyte deformability, plasma and blood viscosity and Htc were significantly different (P < 0.01, P < 0.001 respectively). Cigarette smoking caused significant changes in the erythrocyte cholesterol, total and cholinated phospholipid levels (P < 0.001). These results suggest that chronic smoking may increase the risk of ischaemic vascular disease by changing the rheological behaviour and composition of phospholipids in the erythrocytes. Med Sci Res 27:825-826 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
