Effect of chronic cigarette smoking on plasma fibrinogen and haematocrit

Aim: to observe the effects of chronic cigarette smoking on plasma fibrinogen levels and heamatocrit,along with hemoglobin,total leukocyte count and erythrocyte counts. methods: a total of 102,apparently healthy subjects,of the age ranging from 25-35 years were included in the study. 72 smokers (36 heavy and 36 moderate smokers) and 30 non smokers with similar dietary habits and socioeconomic conditions were investigated for the above mentioned parameters. results: all the parameters were significantly increased (p< 0.0001) in smokers as compared to nonsmokers. significant rise was also seen in values of all parameters of heavy smokers when compared to moderate smokers,plasma fibrinogen p= <0.05; haematocrit and haemoglobin p =<0.001. total erythrocyte and total leucocytes p = <0.001. conclusion: cigarette smoking has deleterious effects on the properties of blood flow by raising plasma viscosity more in heavy smokers than moderate smokers.