Vaping, often perceived as a safer alternative to traditional smoking, has been found to immediately affect the way blood vessels function—even if the e-cigarette does not contain nicotine. This finding comes from recent research presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America in Chicago. The study suggests that vaping, with or without nicotine, can decrease a key metric known as venous oxygen saturation, indicating that the lungs might not be absorbing oxygen as effectively as they should.
The implications of these findings are significant. While further research is needed to validate these results and examine long-term effects, scientists warn that regular vaping could potentially increase the risk of vascular diseases. Dr. Marianne Nabbout, the study’s lead author and a radiology resident at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, emphasized that many people mistakenly believe e-cigarettes are a safer alternative to tobacco-based products. However, the study suggests otherwise.
E-cigarette aerosols may not contain the same carcinogens as traditional tobacco smoke, but they still expose users to various chemicals that can have a negative impact on health. E-cigarettes function by heating a liquid that turns into vapor, which users inhale. This vapor can contain substances like lead, nickel, formaldehyde, propylene glycol, and glycerin, depending on the device.
Dr. Nabbout noted that even nicotine-free e-cigarettes could pose risks. She believes the study’s findings highlight the presence of other potentially harmful ingredients, explaining why significant health effects were observed even when the participants did not use nicotine-based devices.
To conduct the study, researchers analyzed the physiological responses of both cigarette smokers and e-cigarette users—both those who vaped with and without nicotine. A total of 31 smokers and vapers, ranging in age from 21 to 49, participated in the study. Their results were compared to a control group of 10 individuals who neither smoked nor vaped.
Each participant underwent MRI scans before and after vaping or smoking, while the nonsmokers were scanned during regular intervals. In addition, researchers used a cuff on the upper thigh of each participant to temporarily restrict blood flow. Once the cuff was released, they measured blood flow velocity in the femoral artery, as well as the oxygen levels in the blood returning to the heart after circulating through the body.
The study revealed that each time participants vaped or smoked, their femoral artery’s resting blood flow velocity decreased significantly. This artery, located in the thigh, is crucial for delivering oxygenated blood to the lower body. Among the groups, nicotine-vape users experienced the most significant reduction in vascular function, followed by those using nicotine-free e-cigarettes.
Vascular health plays a critical role in maintaining overall well-being. Healthy blood vessels expand and contract easily, allowing efficient blood flow to deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues while removing waste. Poor vascular function can increase the risk of serious conditions like blood clots, high blood pressure, and stroke.
In addition to diminished blood flow, the study showed that vaping—whether with or without nicotine—was linked to lower oxygen saturation levels. This reduction suggests that participants’ lungs might not be efficiently absorbing oxygen after vaping.
Dr. Nabbout highlighted that the study’s findings could aid policymakers in determining which vaping products should remain on the market. Although e-cigarettes have been available without strict regulation for years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now requires companies to obtain authorization to keep their products on sale. Manufacturers often argue that e-cigarettes help smokers quit, but research indicates that they may not be as effective as claimed.
While a few vaping products have received FDA authorization, none have been officially approved as harm-reduction tools. This study adds to the growing body of evidence that suggests vaping is far from harmless, contradicting the perception that e-cigarettes emit only harmless water vapor.
Dr. Albert Rizzo, Chief Medical Officer of the American Lung Association, who was not involved in the study, emphasized that this research highlights the unknowns about the ingredients in e-cigarettes and their effects on health. Even if e-cigarettes contain fewer toxins than traditional cigarettes, their long-term impact remains uncertain. Studies like this one underscore the short-term consequences, showing that vaping has immediate effects on vascular health.
Dr. Rizzo was particularly struck by the fact that both nicotine and non-nicotine vapes affected participants’ bodies. This observation suggests that certain ingredients in e-cigarette vapor may cause airway irritation, leading to inflammation, which can then affect the entire body. The phenomenon is similar to how particle pollution can trigger inflammation, contributing to severe health issues.
Research has already established a link between exposure to air pollution, such as particle pollution, and increased rates of heart attacks and other cardiovascular conditions. If vaping continues to show significant impacts on vascular health, e-cigarette users might face heightened risks of heart attacks, strokes, and impaired blood circulation.
Given the study’s findings, the American Lung Association strongly advises young individuals to avoid e-cigarettes. These devices, often marketed with enticing flavors, may appeal to a younger demographic, leading to early exposure to harmful chemicals. The potential risks of vaping make it a health concern, particularly for adolescents and young adults who might be drawn to these products for their flavor variety and perceived safety.
The study underscores the need for continued research into the health effects of vaping, particularly regarding the long-term consequences. Regulators, healthcare professionals, and the general public need accurate information to make informed decisions about the use of e-cigarettes and the health risks they may pose. As scientists dig deeper into the health implications of vaping, it becomes increasingly clear that the vapor inhaled through e-cigarettes contains more than just harmless water particles. The potential consequences for vascular health are real and concerning, urging caution among current and potential e-cigarette users.