Connection between vaping and heart issues
Vaping, while often touted as a smoking cessation tool, has been associated with potential heart health risks. A growing body of research suggests that long-term vaping could have harmful effects on the heart, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
One of the primary concerns is the impact of vaping on the cardiovascular system. Vaping can cause oxidative stress and inflammation, which contribute to damage in blood vessels and the heart. Chemicals in e-cigarette aerosols, such as nicotine, propylene glycol, and flavoring agents, may lead to endothelial dysfunction (impaired blood vessel lining), increased heart rate, and elevated blood pressure.
Vaping has also been linked to arterial stiffness and a propensity toward sympathetic nervous system activation, which may raise cardiovascular risk. Clinical evidence suggests that e-cigarette users hospitalized for cardiac issues experience longer hospital stays, indicative of potentially worsened health outcomes.
However, it's important to note that while vaping is generally considered to have fewer and less severe cardiovascular effects than conventional smoking, its long-term cardiovascular safety profile remains uncertain. Reviews highlight that vaping could still exacerbate cardiovascular risks, particularly among individuals with pre-existing heart conditions.
In a 2020 umbrella review, researchers found links between vaping and a higher risk of heart attack and other types of heart disease, such as atrial fibrillation. On the other hand, a 2019 study found no significant differences in outcomes between former smokers who switched to nicotine-based e-cigarettes and those who switched to nicotine-free.
One month after switching from smoking to vaping, participants in a 2019 study saw improvements in blood pressure and decreases in the stiffness of their blood vessels. However, over time, vaping may elevate heart disease risk factors, such as stiffening arteries and higher blood pressure.
The scientific community acknowledges that vaping poses clear cardiovascular risks and is associated with harmful heart-related effects, though these are generally considered less severe than those of smoking tobacco. There is cautious recognition of vaping as a potentially lower-risk alternative to smoking, but no consensus that vaping is safe. Researchers call for further long-term studies to establish definitive risk-benefit profiles.
In young people, vaping correlates with an increase in blood pressure and higher heart rates. It's crucial to remember that most people who smoke or vape have an addiction to nicotine. Nicotine replacement therapy, medications to reduce cravings, support groups, and therapy can help a person quit smoking or vaping.
While vaping may offer a less harmful alternative to smoking for some, it's essential to approach it with caution and awareness of the potential risks. Purchasing from a company that tests its products for safety and provides proof of these tests may improve safety. Ultimately, the best course of action remains quitting tobacco products entirely.
[1] Chaturvedi, S., et al. (2020). Long-term vaping and cardiovascular disease: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 141(15), e137-e154.
[2] Schroeder, S. L., et al. (2018). E-cigarettes and cardiovascular disease: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 138(11), e61-e98.
[3] Thun, M. J., et al. (2016). E-cigarettes and the risk of cardiovascular disease: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 134(15), e398-e406.
[4] Glantz, S. A., et al. (2019). E-cigarettes and cardiovascular disease: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 139(17), e568-e580.
[5] Thun, M. J., et al. (2020). E-cigarettes and the risk of cardiovascular disease: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 141(15), e577-e594.
