As much as people like to think that vaping is safe and that e-cigarettes are safe, multiple studies have found that e-cigs can be just as dangerous as cigarettes if not more. A new study has now found that the flavour used in e-cigs can actually damage the cells that line your blood vessels and this can have some serious effects on your heart health. The researchers found that this flavoured liquid could hinder the ability of the cells to survive and function properly.
"The public has this notion that e-cigarettes are safe," said study author Dr. Joseph Wu. "As a result of this perception, a lot of kids pick up e-cigarette smoking," Wu said. "There's so many kids who are smoking e-cigarettes. And these kids are going to become adults. And these adults can become elderly patients that I as a cardiologist will take care of later on."
Since most vapes come in sweet and fruity flavours and promise fewer cancer-causing issues, many people tend to opt for them without realising just how harmful they can be. In a previous study, it was found that vaping had increased by nearly 80% in high schoolers and 50% in middle schoolers which is alarming. The researchers were also worried about the effects of vaping on such young developing brains. They were afraid that the children might get addicted and that it would lead to drug abuse later on in life.
"In addition to harm from the nicotine, the additives are a potential source of adverse vascular health and one that is being disproportionately placed on the young," the researchers said. Many advocates for e-cigs state that the flavours are necessary to get individuals to quit normal cigarettes, however, others claim that they can be extremely dangerous as they grab the attention of youngsters who don't realise how much danger their health is in.
"We're seeing more and more evidence that e-cigarettes do have a relationship with increased chance of having a heart attack," Dr. Lawrence Phillips, an assistant professor of medicine and director of outpatient cardiology said. "When we compare traditional cigarettes to e-cigarettes, we're really not comparing apples to apples," said Phillips, who was not involved in the new research. "What we're finding is that both are having increased risk."
Well, this just goes to prove that whether you choose to smoke normal cigarettes or go for vapes, the damage done by both is irreversible. So, learn to make the right choices and take care of your health. Stay tuned for more updates.
