A new study has found that "electronic smoking increases the risk of heart failure." The study involved approximately 175,000 adults in the United States (with an average age of 52), and found that those who use e-cigarettes were 19% more likely to develop heart failure. About 3,242 of them experienced heart failure during the 4-year follow-up period. The use of e-cigarettes was linked to a "statistically significant" increase in the risk of the most common type of heart failure, known as HFpEF, where the heart muscle becomes stiff and does not fill with blood properly between contractions.
Dr. Yaqoub Bin Hassan, the lead author of the study from MedStar Health in Baltimore, stated, "There are more and more studies linking e-cigarettes to harmful effects, indicating that they may not be as safe as previously thought. The consequences for your health, particularly regarding heart health, should be studied." He added, "I believe this study was long-awaited, especially considering the popularity of e-cigarettes. We do not want to wait too long to find out that they may be harmful. With more research, we will uncover much about the potential health consequences and improve information for the public."
James Leber, Deputy Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), commented, "This is the largest study to date showing a clear link between electronic smoking and an increased risk of heart failure. This is an important reminder that e-cigarettes are not without harm. If you are concerned about your heart and circulatory health, it makes sense to take steps to stop using e-cigarettes." Previous research has indicated that e-cigarettes cause an increase in blood pressure and a heart rate similar to the damage caused by smoking regular cigarettes.
