Combined effects of smoking and hypercholesterolemia on inflammatory process, thrombosis/fibrinolysis system, and forearm hyperemic response.

The combined effects of smoking and hypercholesterolemia on the inflammatory process, the thrombosis/fibrinolysis system, and forearm hyperemic response were investigated. It was shown that smokers with hypercholesterolemia (n = 25) had a reduced and delayed forearm hyperemic response compared with healthy smokers (n = 24), patients with hypercholesterolemia (n = 26), and healthy controls (n = 75; p <0.01 for all). This phenomenon was associated with a respective increase in the inflammatory process and changes in the thrombosis/fibrinolysis system.