The effect of smoking and menopause on the small blood vessels

The small blood vessels were examined in 31 premenopausal and 31 postmenopausal women. In each group there were 14 non-smokers and 17 smokers of age groups 35-45 and 45-59. The women underwent full gynecological examination. Blood pressure was normal in each. The small blood vessels were examined by capillaroscopy of conjunctivae and nailfolds, by oscillometry of the radial artery, skin thermometry of the wrist and terminal phalanx, and by capillary fragility. When all abnormalities in non-smokers were compared with those in smokers in the menopausal groups, a significant difference was found, (Table 4), to the disadvantage of the smokers.