Vaping link to raised risk of heart failure

In a large scale study of over 175,000 adults in the United States, researches led by Dr Yakubu Bene-Alhasan of Med Star Health in Baltimore found that e-cigarette users were 19% more likely to develop heart failure over a four year period, reports the Times (Article, 3 April 2024).

The study adjusted its findings for other factors which could cause heart failure to include obesity and smoking tobacco, but it is considered to be “observational” and cannot definitively prove cause and effect.

This is the first study to suggest a link between vaping and permanent adverse health outcomes, though previous studies had shown that electronic cigarettes can place a strain on the cardiovascular system by raising blood pressure and heart rate primarily due to the presence of nicotine.

The Times article further references the latest data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which revealed that currently 4.5 million people in the UK use vaping or e-cigarette products with the greatest usage amongst those aged 16 to 24 years.

Although most experts regard vaping as much less harmful than tobacco smoking and it has been used successfully as an aid to smoking cessation, this study will raise question marks over the longer term safety of vaping.