According to a new study released on Tuesday, individuals who use e-cigarettes have a 19 percent higher chance of developing heart failure compared to those who have never used them.
The information was included in one of the biggest upcoming research studies about the relationship between vaping and heart failure. findings The findings from the study are set to be presented at the annual scientific session of the American College of Cardiology (ACC).
A total of 175,667 participants from the All of Us national study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with an average age of 52 and 60.5 percent female, were examined by researchers. Among them, 3,242 individuals developed heart failure over a median follow-up period of 45 months.
To determine that e-cigarette users were 19 percent more prone to heart failure than non-users, the researchers considered factors such as demographics, socioeconomic differences, heart disease risk, and past and current substance use, including alcohol and tobacco products.
The study found that the link between e-cigarette use and heart failure did not change based on age, sex, or smoking status.
The research adds to previous animal studies suggesting that e-cigarette usage can impact the heart and cause changes related to heart failure, according to the ACC. However, these studies have not definitively established a direct connection due to limitations in their sample sizes and methodologies.
The lead author of the study and a resident physician at MedStar Health in Baltimore, Yakubu Bene-Alhasan, emphasized that more and more research is pointing to potential harmful effects of e-cigarettes. The difference observed was significant and raises concerns about heart health.
Although electronic nicotine products have been promoted as a safer alternative to smoking, research is starting to indicate potential negative health implications. Despite the decline in traditional cigarette use over the past few decades, e-cigarettes and vaping remain popular among young individuals and those attempting to quit smoking.
The lead author, Yakubu Bene-Alhasan, expressed the importance of conducting this research to better understand the potential health risks associated with e-cigarettes, given their growing popularity. Waiting too long to uncover any harm could lead to significant damage being done. More research will help shed light on the health consequences and improve public awareness.
