Atherosclerosis and Aneurysm of Aorta in Relation to Smoking Habits and Age

Abstract

A direct relationship between the extent of atherosclerotic lesions and smoking habits and age was found in a study of 1,412 aortas collected at autopsy from male patients from 1965 to 1970. The extent of the lesions was recorded using grading systems for formation of plaques, ulceration, and calcification. These findings increased with the number of cigarettes smoked and were greater in ex-cigarette smokers and pipe or cigar smokers than in nonsmokers. More extensive alterations were found in the abdominal aorta than in the thoracic aorta. Aneurysms were found eight times more frequently among those smoking one to two packs of cigarettes per day than in nonsmokers. Black subjects showed about one-half the number of aneurysms and fewer extensive atherosclerotic lesions than white subjects. At ages over 65 years, abdominal aortic aneurysms were found in 11 percent of all men and in 16 percent of the heavy smokers.