ABSTRACT
Hypercholesterolaemia, smoking and elevated levels of fibrinogen are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to determine whether smoking indirectly affects the other risk factors, namely cholesterol and fibrinogen levels. Serum lipid patterns and fibrinogen levels were determined in 67 cigarette or beedi smokers and 51 non-smokers in the age group 18 to 50 years. Serum thiocyanate levels were measured as an indirect indicator or smoking exposure. Smokers had significantly higher serum thiocyanate levels than non-smokers. The serum total cholesterol levels in smokers was significantly higher than in non-smokers, but there was no association with the degree of smoking. In contrast, smokers had significantly elevated fibrinogen levels which were positively related to thiocyanate levels, indicating that plasma fibrinogen levels increase in smoking exposure. These results suggest that smoking may increase the risk of CVD by elevating plasma fibrinogen levels.