5 Minutes Of E-Cigarette Use Significantly Increases Your Risk Of Deadly Disease

E-cigarettes are often marketed as a healthier alternative to smoking cigarettes, which is why many people pick up the new habit in order to help them stop smoking. While ditching actual cigarettes is commendable, it turns out e-cigarettes aren’t much better for your health. In fact, researchers say that just one puff from an e-cig is enough to increase your risk of heart attack.

The Study

Researchers from West Virginia University analyzed the effects of e-cigarette exposure on the arteries of mice. They looked at both short-term (five minutes) and long-term (20 hours over a week over eight months) exposure. The results showed that the mice’s arteries narrowed by 30% within an hour after just a five-minute exposure to e-cigarette vapor. The arteries also began to lose their ability to dilate and lower blood pressure.

When the mice were exposed to long-term e-cigarette use, they developed arteries that were more than twice as stiff as those that weren’t given any nicotine. Narrow or stiff arteries are known to result in heart attacks or stroke, shown by previous research. The researchers explained, “These data indicate that e-cigs should not be considered safe and that they induce significant deleterious effects.”

Cigarettes Vs. E-cigarettes

While smokers who use e-cigarettes are more likely to stop smoking, this research suggests they may simply be moving on to another dangerous habit. Studies have shown that vaping increases a wannabe-quitter’s chance of success. About 65% of vapers attempt to stop smoking, compared to around 40% of smokers who do not use e-cigarettes.

Peter Hajek, director of the health and lifestyle research unit at Queen Mary University, said, “It’s absolutely clear that e-cigarettes help smokers replace cigarettes.”

Dr. Aruni Bhatnagar, director of the American Heart Association’s Tobacco Research and Addiction Center added, “We just don’t know if moving to e-cigarettes is good enough to reduce the harm.”