Vaping linked to increased risk of heart failure

WEB DESK: Recent studies have indicated that there is an increase risk of heart failure among those who vape, suggesting vaping may not be as harmless as previously thought.

Despite being perceived as a safer alternative to traditional smoking, a recent study conducted by Dr. Yakubu Bene-Alhasan and his team at MedStar Health in Baltimore, revealed a significant correlation between vaping and an increased risk of heart failure.

Analysing data from nearly 176,000 adults over a four-year follow-up period, researchers found that individuals who vaped were 19 per cent more likely to receive a heart failure diagnosis compared to non-users.

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This heightened risk persisted even after adjusting for other factors associated with heart disease and substance use.

Heart failure is a severe condition characterised by the heart’s inability to effectively pump blood and can lead to disability, hospitalisation, and even death.

Researchers specifically noted a link between vaping and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), wherein the heart muscle becomes stiff and fails to adequately fill with blood between contractions.

Nicotine is a common component in vaping solutions and is known to elevate heart rate and blood pressure, thereby placing stress on the heart over time.

Vaping can also cause damage to blood vessel linings, impede the formation of new blood vessels, and trigger inflammation. This all contributes to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.

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In addition to heart-related concerns, vaping presents a multitude of other health risks. The nicotine in e-cigarettes can worsen addiction instead of helping to quit smoking.

Accidental exposure to vaping liquids can result in acute nicotine poisoning. The lack of standardisation in vape solutions exposes users to harmful chemicals, heavy metals, and cancer-causing compounds.