Electronic cigarettes have similar effects on cardiovascular health as tobacco. Specifically, according to a study that will be presented at the 2022 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association, vaping exposes the user to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can negatively affect cardiovascular health in a similar way to that which occurs when traditional cigarettes are smoked. .
Los volatile organic compounds They are a large group of gases found in many items, such as cleaning products, paint, cigarettes, car exhaust, pesticides, and other substances.
The ability of volatile organic chemicals to cause health effects varies widely, from being highly toxic to having no known health effects.
«Pod-based e-cigarettes are marketed to younger people, but also to those trying to quit or cut down on cigarette use», says the study’s principal investigator, Sana Majid, from the Boston University School of Medicine (USA). However, she acknowledges, “the long-term health effects of using these newer tobacco products are currently unknown.”
The researchers evaluated the heart health effects of e-cigarettes in three groups of people: users of pod-based e-cigarettes, users of traditional cigarettes, and people who did not use tobacco or nicotine.
In total, the study included 106 young adults, ages 18 to 45, without cardiovascular disease or risk factors — high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol — 49% men and 51% women. 35% of pod-based e-cigarette users were female, 33% of combustible cigarette users were female, and 81% of non-tobacco users were female.
The researchers evaluated the participants’ vascular function, that is, the function of the arteries and veins that circulate blood throughout the body, and blood pressure, before and after they consumed their preferred tobacco product for 10 minutes.
The results found that young adults using pod-based e-cigarettes had similar changes in blood vessel health as traditional cigarette smokers.
For example, pod-based e-cigarette users and combustible cigarette users had 8% higher blood pressure compared to non-users of these products.
Also, participants who vaped and people who smoked had higher heart rates compared to those who didn’t use any tobacco products.
Likewise, elevated levels of volatile organic compounds in users of e-cigarettes and combustible cigarettes were associated with changes in measures of vascular health such as dilation of the arteries, which is important for circulation and vascular health.
“Immediately after vaping or smoking, there were concerning changes in blood pressure, heart rate, heart rate variability, and blood vessel tone (constriction),” said study lead author Matthew C. Tattersall. from the University of Wisconsin.
People who vaped and those who smoked had higher heart rates compared to those who didn’t use any tobacco products
“Our findings demonstrate that pod-based e-cigarette use has short- and long-term effects on the vascular system in healthy young adults, including those who have only smoked e-cigarettes and never smoked combustible cigarettes,” Majid said.
These results, he notes, «iThey indicate that e-cigarettes release chemicals that are toxic to blood vessels, and the use of pod-based e-cigarettes may be associated with harm.».
Because e-cigarette use has increased among younger people in recent years, experts advise avoiding the use of any tobacco products, including pod-based e-cigarettes, because they can negatively affect blood vessel health.