E-CIGARETTES AND TOBACCO CIGARETTES HAVE SIMILAR bad health effects on an individual’s cardiovascular system. Today we explore vaping and the heart.
A pair of recently reported studies, one on rats and the other on humans, demonstrate similar cardiovascular effects from e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes. The worst? Smoking and vaping in combination.
Today we explore the rat study before turning to the human investigation.
“Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I’ve done it thousands of times.” ― Mark Twain
Cigarette smoke and blood vessel lining
The endothelium is a single layer of cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels.
Smoking of any type, whether e-cigarettes or regular ones, causes dysfunction in the blood vessel lining or endothelium. This means that large blood vessels don’t open enough to supply enough blood to the heart and other issues. This blood supply issue can result in cardiovascular disease.
A multi-institutional team in the United States reports that the impairment of the inner lining of blood vessels by cigarette smoke is not caused by a specific smoke consistent; rather, the airway sends signals to the vagus nerve.
The vagus nerve regulates numerous internal functions, including heart rate, digestion, and breathing rate. The nerve also helps regulate reflex actions such as swallowing, coughing, sneezing, and vomiting.
The researchers measured the ability of blood vessels to widen in rats. They did measurements of pre- and post-smoke exposure to four types of traditional cigarettes: conventional nicotine, reduced nicotine, conventional nicotine with added menthol, and reduced nicotine with added menthol.
Here are the findings:
Blood vessel widening appeared reduced by all four types of cigarettes, ranging from 20 to 46 percent. Higher nicotine levels were associated with a greater decrease in blood vessel “stretchability,” with methol leading to a smaller drop in stretchability.
This study provides additional proof of the perils of smoking cigarettes regarding lung and heart health. Initially, many felt vaping might be a safe option to get folks away from cigarettes, but studies such as this remind us this may not be true. In addition, the US Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated the aerosol ingredients in vaping products.
And remember, the hot e-cigarette liquid can shrink our blood vessels and raise blood pressure. This blood vessel change can translate to quicker nicotine delivery to the body, putting your heart and lungs at risk.
Human studies confirm e-cigarette danger
A separate study discovered that prolonged vaping and cigarette smoking change endothelial function, albeit in different ways.
Vaping (but not combustible cigarettes) causes blood changes that result in blood vessel leakage. Both smoking and vaping cause blood changes leading to blood vessel lining (endothelial) dysfunction associated with cardiovascular risk in otherwise healthy people.
Both smoking and vaping cause harm. Dual product use with combustible and e-cigarettes may be especially bad for blood vessel health.
Thank you for joining me in this look at vaping and the heart.
The information I provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you seek medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this blog.
