Vapers who use e-cigarettes every day are almost TWICE as likely to suffer a heart attack

Vapers who use e-cigarettes every day are almost TWICE as likely to suffer a heart attack as non-smokers

• People who both smoke and vape every day are almost five times more at risk
• According to the researchers, most adult vapers continue to smoke cigarettes 
• E-cigs may cause inflammation and ‘internal stress’ linked to heart disease 
• Experts urge people to stop using tobacco to substantially lower their risk

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Vapers who use e-cigarettes every day are nearly twice as likely to suffer a heart attack as non-smokers, new research suggests.

The first-of-its-kind study also found that those who both smoke and vape every day are almost five times more at risk of the life-threatening condition.

Study author Dr Stanton Glantz, from the University of California, San Francisco, said: ‘Most adults who use e-cigarettes continue to smoke cigarettes. 

‘While people may think they are reducing their health risks, we found that the heart attack risk of e-cigarettes adds to the risk of smoking cigarettes.

‘Using both products at the same time is worse than using either one separately.’ 

Previous research suggests chemicals in e-cigarettes cause inflammation and ‘internal stress’, which are associated with heart disease. 

Vapers who use e-cigarettes every day are nearly twice as likely to suffer a heart attack (stock)

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How the research was carried out        

The researchers analysed the 2014 and 2016 results of The National Health Interview Survey, which includes interviews from adults living in the US. 

Some 69,452 participants were asked: ‘Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you had a heart attack (also called myocardial infarction)?’

They were also asked about any current or previous cigarette and e-cigarette use.

In addition, the participants were assessed for high cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as any diabetes diagnosis.

What is an e-cigarette and how is it different to smoking tobacco?

An electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) is a device that allows users to inhale nicotine by heating a vapour from a solution that contain nicotine, propylene and flavourings.

As there is no burning involved, there is no smoke like a traditional cigarette.

But while they have been branded as carrying a lower risk than cigarettes, an increasing swell of studies is showing health dangers.

E-cigarettes do not produce tar or carbon monoxide, but the vapor does contain some harmful chemicals.

Nicotine is the highly addictive chemical which makes it difficult for smokers to quit.  

Nearly three million people in Britain use e-cigarettes, and more than nine million Americans.

TYPES:

1. Standard e-cigarette

Battery-powered device containing nicotine e-liquid.

It vaporizes flavored nicotine liquid.

2. Juul

Very similar to normal e-cigarettes but with sleeker design and a higher concentration of nicotine.

Thanks to its ‘nicotine salts’, manufacturers claim one pod delivers the amount of nicotine as a pack of cigarettes.

It is composed of an e-cigarette (battery and temperature control), and a pod of e-liquid which is inserted at the end.

The liquid contains nicotine, chemicals and flavorings.

Like other vaping devices, it vaporizes the e-liquid.

3. IQOS by Philip Morris

Pen-shaped, charged like an iPod.

Vaporizes tobacco.

It is known as a ‘heat not burn’ smokeless device, heating tobacco but not burning it (at 350C compared to 600C as normal cigarettes do).

The company claims this method lowers users’ exposure to carcinogen from burning tobacco.

Chemicals in e-cigarettes may cause inflammation associated with heart disease (stock)

‘Risk of a heart attack drops immediately after you stop smoking’

Results, published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, suggest people who smoke and vape every day are 4.6 times more at risk of suffering a heart attack than those without either habit.

Dr Glantz said: ‘Someone who continues to smoke daily while using e-cigarettes daily increases the odds of a heart attack by a factor of five.’

Former vapers and those who occasionally use e-cigarettes are not an increased risk of suffering a heart attack.

Dr Glantz said: ‘The risk of heart attack starts to drop immediately after you stop smoking. Our results suggest the same is true when they stop using e-cigarettes.’ 

The researchers add, however, e-cigarettes may be more damaging than they appear but have just not been available long enough to do any serious damage to a user’s heart. 

Certain vapers may also only use e-cigs for a short time while they wean themselves off cigarettes and therefore significant damage may not occur. 

Dr Glantz concluded: ‘The only way to substantially reduce the risk of a heart attack is to stop using tobacco.’

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