A new study provides new concerns about the health risks linked to the usage of e-cigarettes.
According to a team of researchers from the University of Kansas, e-cigarettes may increase the risk of a heart attack, coronary artery disease, and mood disturbances, based on data presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 68th Annual Scientific Session.
“Until now, little has been known about cardiovascular events relative to e-cigarette use. These data are a real wake-up call and should prompt more action and awareness about the dangers of e-cigarettes,” said Mohinder Vindhyal of the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita.
The study, based on data of 96,467 participants from the National Health Interview Survey, is considered one of the largest of its kind focusing on e-cigarette usage and cardiovascular risks, in particular.
In the study, it was found that e-cigarette users were 56 percent more likely to suffer a heart attack, 30 percent more likely to have a stroke, and 10 percent at higher risk of developing coronary artery disease, when compared to non-smokers. With regards to mood changes, consumers of e-cigarettes were twice as likely to exhibit symptoms of anxiety or depression, according to researchers.
“Most, but not all, of these associations held true when controlling for other known cardiovascular risk factors, such as age, sex, body mass index, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and smoking,” the study detailed.
“After adjusting for these variables, e-cigarette users were 34 percent more likely to have a heart attack, 25 percent more likely to have coronary artery disease and 55 percent more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety. Stroke, high blood pressure and circulatory problems were no longer statistically different between the two groups.”
“When the risk of heart attack increases by as much as 55 percent among e-cigarettes users compared to nonsmokers, I wouldn’t want any of my patients nor my family members to vape. When we dug deeper, we found that regardless of how frequently someone uses e-cigarettes, daily or just on some days, they are still more likely to have a heart attack or coronary artery disease.”
The study, titled “Impact on Cardiovascular Outcomes among E-Cigarette Users: A review from National Health Interview Surveys,” was published by the American College of Cardiology.