The use of e-cigarettes was found to have a negative impact on the heart and lungs as the American Heart Association (AHA) calls for further research into the issue.
“E-cigarettes deliver numerous substances into the body that are potentially harmful, including chemicals and other compounds that are likely not known to or understood by the user,” volunteer chair of the AHA scientific statement writing committee Jason Rose said in a new scientific statement released Monday.
“There is research indicating that nicotine-containing e-cigarettes are associated with acute changes in several hemodynamic measures, including increases in blood pressure and heart rate,” he added.
The statement pointed to research that found there was a “significant association” between e-cigarette use and the development of incident respiratory disease over two years, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/COPD, chronic bronchitis, emphysema or asthma. The statement also said that the ingredients of e-cigarettes — even in those without nicotine — can pose health risks.
“There has also been research indicating that even when nicotine is not present, ingredients in e-cigarettes, particularly flavoring agents, independently carry risks associated with heart and lung diseases in animals,” Rose said. “Negative effects of e-cigarettes have been shown through in vitro studies and in studies of individuals exposed to chemicals in commercially available products.”
The statement noted that vitamin E acetate is the ingredient that is likely causing E-cigarette, or Vaping, product use Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) hospitalizations. The statement added that more research is needed to determine the health impacts it can have on heart attacks and strokes.
For sure.
I was smoking 2+ packs per day for years, and was able to switch to vaping exclusively. Did that for a couple years and eventually quit nicotine outright by reducing the nic content of my liquid and tapering down.
The improvement to my health switching from cigs to vaping was actually way larger than going from vapes to nothing lol. Vaping caused some dry mouth for me, and I had a little bit of gum irritation that cleared up after quitting, but that was about it. On cigs I couldn’t make it up two flights of stairs without wheezing lol.
I do not miss the mornings waking up coughing and out of breath because I had a cigarette right before bed. When I started vaping to quit, I could take a deep breath in first thing in the morning without coughing. As much hate and vitriol people hold for vapes, I’m happy I used them. Without them, I’d still be smoking cigarettes today.