E-cigarette and cardiovascular health: The latest in a long line of Tobacco enabling products, e-cigarettes, also known as vapes, are the latest rage among the Gen Z and millennial populations. Sometimes referred to as ‘vapes’, these are battery-operated, handheld devices that mimic the experience of smoking a cigarette. They work by heating the liquid, which may contain various levels of nicotine, any number of flavours and other chemicals, to create a vapour which is inhaled and exhaled. They were conceptualized in the early 2000s and finally hit the market in 2007. Sales for the same have increased by nearly 14-fold in the last decade. However, they are also hotly debated - touted by some as a safer alternative to smoking tobacco, while others are seriously concerned about the explosion of vaping among teens and young adults.
One of the primary debates concerning vaping is if traditional tobacco cigarette smokers have strikingly higher odds of having a heart attack as compared with nonsmokers. There is no conclusive evidence regarding the same. However, in general, excessive tobacco consumption does lead to an increase in cardiovascular ailments. Vapes are just more convenient and ‘cooler’ to use, increasing tobacco consumption. We cannot deny that consumption has exploded worldwide, and it is worrying.
Smoking, in general, allows for the intake of many chemicals, which leads to the accumulation of plaque, which causes blockages that ultimately cause heart attacks, heart failure. While vapes expose users to lower the level of carcinogens as compared with traditional cigarettes, they deliver a higher level of ultrafine particles and other toxins. These toxins are often linked to increased risk of cardiovascular and non-cancer lung diseases, which are responsible for more 50 per cent of all smoking-related deaths.
Also Read: World No Tobacco Day 2020: 8 Ways To Tackle Tobacco Addiction As Per Ayurveda
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- According to some studies, opposite to what many policy-makers and scientists had planned, instead of helping people switch from traditional cigarettes to e-cigarettes, or quitting cigarettes altogether, e-cigarettes are making it nearly impossible for people to quit smoking. Ironically, they are attracting youth and expanding the nicotine market.
- According to research by the American College of Cardiology, e-cigarette users are more at risk of heart attack as compared with non-users by as much as 56 per cent and of a stroke by 30 per cent. E-cigarette users are 10 per cent more likely to suffer from coronary artery diseases and 44 per cent more probable to have circulatory problems. The risk of suffering from anxiety, depression or other emotional issues are also doubled for this group.
- According to new research led by San Francisco (UC), daily use of electric fags is linked with nearly a doubling of the chances of a heart attack. Even after adjusting for additional cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension, body mass index, high cholesterol, sex and age; those who vape are at an increased risk of having a heart attack by 34 per cent, coronary artery diseases by 25 per cent and emotional problems (such as anxiety or depression) by 55 per cent.
Advice – BE CAREFUL AND DON’T START SMOKING.
(Article has been medically reviewed by Dr Nikhil Kumar, Director, Cardiology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram)
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