One million facing health alert over ‘harmful effects’ of vapes
VAPE users are almost a fifth more likely to develop heart failure than those who never use e-cigarettes, research suggests.
The devices that deliver nicotine in aerosol form have been hailed as a healthier option for smokers.
But there is growing concern about their popularity among young people, including many who have never smoked.
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Dr Yakubu Bene-Alhasan, of MedStar Health in Baltimore, US, said: “More and more studies are linking e-cigarettes to harmful effects and finding that it might not be as safe as thought.”
Believed to affect over one million people in the UK, heart failure occurs when blood is not pumped properly.
Research led by Dr BeneAlhasan used data from more than 175,000 people, 3,242 of whom developed heart failure. Analysis found those who had used e-cigarettes were 19% more likely to develop heart failure than those who never had.
The increased risk was seen for a particular type of failure where the heart muscle becomes stiff and does not properly fill with blood between contractions.
No increased risk was seen for when the heart muscle becomes weak and the left ventricle does not squeeze as hard as it should in contractions.
Dr Bene-Alhasan said the research was “long overdue… considering how much e-cigarettes have gained traction”.
He added: “The difference we saw was substantial. It’s worth considering the consequences, especially with heart health.”
The findings will be presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session next weekend.