CIRCULATORY EFFECT OF CIGARETTE SMOKING, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO EFFECT ON CEREBRAL HEMODYNAMICS

The circulatory effect of cigarette smoking on cerebral hemodynamics, blood pressure and pulse rate were investigated in four normal young men and eight elderly patients with mild diseases, all habitual tobacco smokers (10-20 cigarettes daily). (1) Decrease in cerebral vascular resistance (dilatation of cerebral blood vessel) and increase in cerebral blood flow were observed in all subjects with the ordinary smoking. On the other hand, blood pressure and pulse rate did not change or slightly increased. (2) A conspicuous increase in cerebral hemodynamic, blood pressure and pulse rate were observed in the elderly subjects with rapid smoking. (3) It is suggested that the cerebral circulatory effect of tobacco smoking is mainly due to the direct effect of nicotine, since a significant correlation is not observed between cerebral hemodynamic and blood pressure with ordinary smoking. © 1969, The Japanese Circulation Society. All rights reserved.