Vaping may cause ‘substantial’ increase in risk of heart failure

New research has suggested that vaping may cause a “substantial” increase in the risk of heart failure, 

People who have vaped at any point were 19% more likely to develop heart failure compared with those who never used e-cigarettes, the findings indicate.

Dr Yakubu Bene-Alhasan, the study’s lead author from MedStar Health in Baltimore, US, said:

“More and more studies are linking e-cigarettes to harmful effects and finding that it might not be as safe as previously thought.

“The difference we saw was substantial. It’s worth considering the consequences to your health, especially with regard to heart health.”

Heart failure means the heart is unable to pump blood around the body properly. It usually happens because the heart has become too weak or stiff.

More than 175,000 people in the US – vapers and non-vapers – were included in the study, and of these 3,242 developed heart failure within 45 months.

The study found that people who used e-cigarettes were at increased risk of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction – in which the heart muscle becomes stiff and does not properly fill with blood between contractions.

However, there was no link with reduced ejection fraction, in which the heart muscle becomes weak and the left ventricle does not squeeze as hard as it should during contractions.

Researchers said the new study findings point to a need for additional investigations of the potential impacts of vaping on heart health.

The findings are being presented at the American College of Cardiology’s annual scientific session.

In December 2023, a new law banning the sale of vapes to under 18s in Ireland made it an offence to sell a nicotine inhaling product, such as e-cigarettes to a minor.

Penalties can include a fine of up to €4000 and up to six months in prison.