E-Cigarettes and Heart Health: Why Vaping May Be Just as Dangerous as Smoking

"E-cigarettes are not a safe substitute for regular cigarettes and pose serious risks to vascular health," warns Dr. Mariann Nabbout of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Her statement follows research presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), showing alarming effects of vaping- even when nicotine is not involved.

Key Findings from the Study

The study involved 41 participants aged 21 to 49, including 31 people who either smoked or vaped, and 10 non-smokers. Results showed a significant drop in blood flow and oxygen delivery among all users of smoking products.

• Nicotine-based e-cigarette users experienced the most severe vascular damage

• Followed by non-nicotine e-cigarette users

• Traditional cigarette smokers surprisingly ranked third in terms of vascular impact

What’s in the Vapor?

Although e-cigarette vapor doesn’t contain many of the known carcinogens found in tobacco smoke, it does contain harmful chemicals such as:

• Lead

• Formaldehyde

• Propylene glycol

Additional studies revealed that vapers’ blood contains biological markers for cardiovascular disease that are not present in traditional cigarette smokers.

One notable study, published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, found that long-term vaping causes chronic vascular dysfunction, leading to the same cardiovascular risks as regular smoking. “Chronic e-cigarette users may end up facing health consequences similar to those of long-term smokers,” warns Professor Matthew Springer from the University of California.

What’s at Risk?

Damage to blood circulation includes:

• Reduced oxygen transport

• Impaired nourishment of vital organs

• Increased risk of blood clots, stroke, and high blood pressure

These findings strongly suggest that choosing e-cigarettes as a "safer" option may be a dangerous misconception. The health risks- especially to the cardiovascular system- are real, and in many cases, just as severe as those caused by traditional cigarettes.