By: Dr. Roberto Yano
Smoking is already widely known to be harmful to heart health. However, with the popularization of even more aggressive electronic devices, such as vaping, these negative effects become even more intense.
Vaping is an electronic device used to inhale vapor, typically containing nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. Although initially presented as an alternative to traditional cigarettes, growing evidence shows that it can be even more harmful, especially to cardiovascular health.
Effects of vaping on the heart
According to a study by the American College of Cardiology, vaping and e-cigarette use can increase the risk of heart failure by 19%. This statistic alone is alarming, but the impact could be even greater.
According to a study conducted by the Heart Institute (Incor), in partnership with the Health Surveillance Agency of the State of São Paulo and the Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo (FMUSP), the amount of nicotine inhaled from a vape can be equivalent to 120 cigarettes. This means that exposure to nicotine through these devices is extremely high, causing even more significant damage to the heart.
Furthermore, data from the National Cancer Institute (INCA) show that smoking is responsible for around 30% of deaths related to heart disease in Brazil, in addition to tripling the risk of heart attack.
Why is vaping so dangerous?
Nicotine, which is found in high concentrations in vape devices, is one of the main culprits for cardiovascular health. It not only increases blood pressure and accelerates heart rate, but also narrows blood vessels, putting a strain on the cardiovascular system as a whole.
Cigarettes are already a known risk factor for heart disease. However, with these even more concentrated and aggressive versions, such as vaping, the damage can be even more devastating to cardiovascular health.
