A recent study by cardiologists found that the consumption of e-cigarettes harms the brain, lungs and blood vessels. The research published in the European Heart Journal highlights the mechanism by which e-cigarettes damages the body through harmful chemicals induced in the vaping process. These chemicals may also exist in lower concentrations in vaping liquid.
The scientist from the University Medical Centre Mainz in Germany, who led the research stated that e-cigarettes are addictive and life-threatening. The countries should take action and ban them. Many countries like Mexico, Brazil, India, Thailand, and Singapore have already taken action against e-cigarettes.
The study was conducted on healthy smokers and mice. The study inspected that the vapor of e-cigarettes can have a negative impact before vaping. The vapor affects the blood flow in the main blood artery in the upper arms of the twenty healthy smokers. After fifteen minutes of vaping an e-cigarette, it was found that the artery became stiff.
The researchers exposed 151 mice to cigarette vapor for more than one, three or five days for 20 minutes and six times a day. It came out that only one vaping episode elevated heart rate and also caused the stiffening of arteries. Also, the inner lining of arteries – endothelium stopped working properly in the smokers.
The main function of the endothelium is to maintain proper dilation and tightening of the blood vessels. The endothelium also defends tissue against toxic substances and controls inflammation and blood clotting processes.
Also, an enzyme called NOX-2 was activated by e-cigarette vapor that was accountable for damage caused to blood vessels in the lungs as well as the brain.
The study has indicated that e-cigarette is not a safe alternative to traditional cigarettes.
The e-cigarette was initiated to lessen tobacco cigarette consumption but now it is a growing trend among youths. The number of vaping has increased.
In the U.S, more than 3.6 million children are reported to use e-cigarettes. The consumption of e-cigarette is widespread in the U.S and countries of Europe. The youth concerning quitting traditional smoking is getting addicted to e-cigarettes.
According to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) National Youth Tobacco Survey, American teenagers over 5 million have used e-cigarettes in the past month, making vapes the biggest product use ever in this age group.
The signs are not of greater impact in the initial years, but it will have major ill effects in the later years. Exposure to nicotine has long-lasting effects. It can also cause respiratory issues as the vapor is inhaled directly into the lungs.
Researchers suggest that tobacco products should be taxed heavily and its marketing should be curbed. Educating teenagers and families about the health hazards of tobacco products is the need of an hour.
The upcoming international conference will discuss more such research by cardiologists in 2023. The global event will be an open platform for cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, medical practitioners, researchers, and clinical research organizations to explore modern technologies.