Two MORE studies find e-cigs raise risk of heart disease just as much as normal cigarettes

Vaping causes ‘worrying changes’ in people’s blood pressure, heart rate and fitness levels, research suggests.

Two new federally funded studies indicate that these changes are happening even faster among e-cigarette users than among traditional tobacco smokers, a worrying sign.

Vaping was previously heralded as a safer alternative to cigarettes, which dramatically increase the risk of lung cancer, heart disease and other chronic conditions.

But piles of evidence in recent years suggest that the electronic alternatives cause similar damage in the body.

In a study published today, experts found that vaping and smoking causes people’s heart rates to rise 15 minutes after use, putting the body into ‘fight or flight’ mode.

Both groups also suffered from a narrowed artery, the main blood vessel that supplies the arms and hands with blood.

High blood pressure and narrowed arteries can deprive the heart of oxygen-rich blood and, over time, increase the risk of heart disease.

In a second study, researchers conducted a series of cardiovascular tests after having participants run on a treadmill for 90 minutes.

Those who smoked or vaped performed significantly worse on all metrics, including how quickly the heart rate recovered after exercise and how hard the heart had to work at peak levels.

Lead author of the study Dr. Christina Hughey, of the University of Wisconsin, said: “The exercise performance of those who vaped was not significantly different from those who used combustible cigarettes, even though they had smoked for fewer years than the people who smoked and were much younger.”

Co-lead author Matthew Tattersall, an assistant professor of medicine at the university, added: ‘Immediately after vaping or smoking there were worrisome changes in blood pressure, heart rate, heart rate variability and blood vessel tone (narrowing)’.

The results of both studies were presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2022.

It comes amid a vape epidemic in the US, with approximately 8 million adults and 2.5 million minors using the devices. Over 3 million Britons are regular users.

Although e-cigarettes are often marketed as healthy alternatives to typical cigarettes, they contain many harmful chemicals themselves.

E-liquids contain nitrosamines, which have been linked to cancer, while flavored vapes often contain diacetyl, an irritant linked to the deadly condition ‘popcorn lung’.

Science is also beginning to show that the devices can have just as negative an effect on heart health as smoking.

In the latest study, researchers looked at data from 395 participants — 164 vapers, 117 smokers, and 114 who had no history of nicotine, e-cigarette, or tobacco use.

Researchers assessed blood pressure, heart rate, brachial artery diameter in the arm, and heart rate variability before vaping and smoking, as well as 15 minutes afterward.

Data shows that people who vape and smoke had a heart rate of four beats per minute faster after vape or smoking, while there was no change for the non-users.

Blood pressure also increased from about 122/72 mm Hg to about 127/77 mm Hg after vaping or smoking, while there was no change for non-smokers or non-vapers.

A second study found that vapers had worse sports performance than non-smokers and that it was comparable to that of smokers.

An initial study found that people who vaped and smoked had an average heart rate that was 4 beats per minute faster than those who avoided nicotine.

The study also found that the blood pressure of smokers and vapers increased from 122/72 millimeters of mercury (mm HG) to 127/77 mm Hg while using devices.

dr. Tattersall added: “These findings suggest worse risk factors for cardiovascular disease immediately after vaping or smoking, and sympathetic nervous system activation may play a role in the side effects seen immediately after e-cigarette use and after exercise testing 90 minutes later.” perceived.”

In a second study, the same participants were subjected to a stress test on a treadmill.

After 90 minutes on the machine, they were given four heart exams to determine the organ’s overall health.

People who vape scored 11 percent lower than people who didn’t use nicotine.

Smokers had test scores that were 16 percent lower than the control group.

They also had a greater difference in their reserve and maximum heart rate during exercise, indicating that their heart was working more during exercise.

The difference between reserve and training heart rate was 30 percent higher in vapers and 40 percent higher in smokers.

Smokers and vapers both achieved lower heart rates than their non-nicotine peers, and it took longer for their heart rates to return to normal after exercise.

While these findings are alarming, researchers caution that there is much more evidence about the downsides of using vapes.

dr. Aruni Bhatnagar, a professor of medicine at the University of Louisville, said: “These studies add to the growing body of science showing similar cardiovascular damage in people who use e-cigarettes and people who smoke combustible cigarettes.

“In addition, it appears that this cardiovascular risk is seen even in younger people with shorter histories of nicotine use.”

“People need to know that e-cigarettes and combustible cigarettes contain addictive nicotine and toxic chemicals that can have adverse effects on their cardiovascular system and their overall health.”

dr. Bhatnagar was involved in research published last week that found that exposure to smoke from e-cigarettes drastically lowered the heart rate of mice.

Another study funded last week by the National Institutes of Health found that mice’s blood vessels constricted when exposed to e-cigarette smoke.