A recent prospective study led by MedStar Health in Baltimore found that e-cigarette users have a significantly increased risk of developing heart failure compared to people who have never used e-cigarettes.

Heart failure, which affects more than 6 million adults in the United States, is a condition characterized by the heart being either too hard or too weak to pump blood effectively. This can lead to severe symptoms and frequent hospitalization in older adults.

E-cigarettes and heart health

Electronic nicotine delivery systems, including e-cigarettes, vape pens, hookah pens, personal vaporizers, MODs, e-cigars, e-pipes, and e-hookahs, release nicotine in the form of an aerosol without burning a cigarette.

Despite being introduced in the United States in the late 2000s and initially billed as a safer alternative to smoking, a growing body of evidence has raised concerns about its health effects.

“A growing body of research is linking e-cigarettes to adverse effects, showing that they may not be as safe as previously thought,” said lead author Yaqub Bene Alhassan, a MedStar resident. Stated. “The difference we saw was considerable. It’s worth considering the impact on your health, especially your heart health.”

E-cigarette use and heart failure

The study utilized data from the All of Us Research Program, a large national survey led by the National Institutes of Health, and found a correlation between e-cigarette use and new diagnoses of heart failure among 175,667 participants. focused.

In this group, which included 60.5% women with a mean age of 52 years, 3,242 people developed heart failure over a median follow-up of 45 months.

The analysis revealed that people with a history of e-cigarette use were 19% more likely to experience heart failure than those who did not use e-cigarettes.

Other risk factors for heart disease

The evaluation took into account a variety of factors, including demographic and socio-economic background, other risk factors for heart disease, and use of substances such as alcohol and tobacco. The participants’ age, gender, and smoking status did not alter the effect of e-cigarettes on heart failure risk, the scientists said.

Looking more closely, the increased risk was statistically significant for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), a condition in which the heart muscle doesn’t relax properly.

However, this association was not found for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), which involves myocardial decline. With increasing rates of HFpEF, identifying risk factors and intensifying treatment has become a priority.

Further research is urgently needed

This study is consistent with animal and other human studies that suggest e-cigarette use may harm the heart in ways that contribute to heart failure. Previous attempts to directly link e-cigarette use and heart failure have faced challenges due to limitations in cross-sectional study designs, small sample sizes, and small numbers of heart failure cases.

“I think this study is outdated, especially given how much attention e-cigarettes are getting,” Bene-Alhassan said. “We don’t want to wait too long until we finally find out that it could be harmful. By then, a lot of the harm may have already been done.”

“Further research will reveal more about the potential health effects and improve the information available to the public.”

Relationship between e-cigarettes and heart failure

Bene Alhassan also warned against the use of e-cigarettes to quit smoking, as many people may continue vaping long after quitting. Instead, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a combination of counseling and medication as the most effective approach to smoking cessation.

Although this study’s design allows for inferences rather than definitive conclusions about the causal relationship between e-cigarette use and heart failure, its broad sample size and detailed substance use and health information make it possible to understand this relationship. This is an important step forward.

Click here for more information about electronic cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes, also known as electronic cigarettes, are devices designed to simulate the smoking experience without burning a cigarette.

They work by heating a liquid to create an aerosol, commonly called vapor, which the user inhales. This liquid typically contains nicotine (the addictive substance found in traditional cigarettes), flavoring, and other chemicals.

E-cigarettes were initially introduced as a tool for smokers to reduce or quit smoking.

Ongoing discussion

E-cigarette use has generated considerable debate among medical professionals, regulatory authorities, and the general public.

Proponents argue that e-cigarettes are a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes because they do not produce tar or carbon monoxide, the most harmful components of cigarette smoke. They also point to potential benefits for smokers who have struggled to quit using other methods.

controversy

However, e-cigarettes are not without controversy. Critics have raised concerns about health risks associated with inhaling the chemicals in the vapors, including possible lung damage.

There are also concerns about the appeal of flavored e-cigarettes to teens and young adults and the potential for them to start using nicotine, a highly addictive substance. This has led to discussions about flavor regulation and marketing methods that may target younger consumers.

regulation

Regulation of e-cigarettes varies widely from country to country, ranging from complete bans to relatively loose regulations. Many countries are considering how to regulate these products, balancing the potential benefits for smokers trying to quit with the risk of increasing nicotine dependence among non-smokers, especially young people. I am still considering whether to do so.

The study will be presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Sessions.

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