E-cigarettes may be an effective way of helping people to quit smoking regular cigarettes, but studies show that vaping is far from safe. According to the research, people who vape are more likely to suffer heart attacks, strokes, and depression.
Using the National Health Interview Survey, researchers compared people who reported vaping to with those not reporting any e-cigarette use and found that e-cigarette users had a:
- 55% greater risk of having a heart attack
- 44% greater risk of circulatory problems
- 30% higher risk of having a stroke
- 10% higher risk of coronary artery disease
The risks were found to be significant for both regular e-cigarette users and those who only imbibe occasionally, though occasional users had slightly lower risks.
Read: Flavored Vape Juice Creates Irritating Chemicals in E-Cigarettes
In a news release, Mohinder Vindhyal, a researcher at the University of Kansas School and the study lead author, said: [2]
“Until now, little has been known about cardiovascular events relative to e-cigarette use. These data are a real wake-up call and should prompt more action and awareness about the dangers of e-cigarettes.”
Those who reported vaping were more likely to complain of depression, anxiety, and emotional problems, the study found. These problems were 2.2-fold more common with e-cigarette use, and the risk was higher among vapers than among tobacco smokers. [1]
Read: Even Without Nicotine, E-Cigarette Flavorings may Damage Blood Vessels
Vindhyal said: [2]
“When the risk of heart attack increases by as much as 55% among e-cigarette users compared to nonsmokers, I wouldn’t want any of my patients nor my family members to vape. When we dug deeper, we found that regardless of how frequently someone uses e-cigarettes, daily or just on some days, they are still more likely to have a heart attack or coronary artery disease.”
I suppose the main question is: did vaping lead to issues such as heart attacks, strokes, and depression in this study, or are people who experience these issues simply more likely to vape than others?
Sources:
[1] MedPage Today
[2] UPI