A recent study warns that regular vaping may raise blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. Researchers at the University of Exeter found that both vaping and smoking were linked to elevated blood pressure, with vapers showing a notable increase even without traditional tobacco use.
The study tracked 6,262 participants aged 12 to 80 from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Those who used nicotine products—either by smoking, vaping, or both—showed higher blood pressure readings compared with non-users. Exclusive vapers had a 15% higher risk of elevated blood pressure and were slightly more likely to develop hypertension, though researchers noted that the small sample size limited statistical significance.
Experts highlighted that dual use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes may compound risks, with nicotine intake potentially affecting the heart’s resting period between beats. Professor Andrew Agbaje, co-author of the study, said, “Increased blood pressure from nicotine could compromise the heart, leading to arrhythmia, heart failure, and heart attacks.”
The research also found that cholesterol levels were higher in smokers and vapers, supporting the idea that nicotine contributes to cardiovascular strain through free radical damage to blood fats. Overall, participants who smoked or vaped tended to be younger, had higher cholesterol and CRP levels, and carried more excess body fat.
The study, published in the American Journal of Physiology, calls for further long-term research to fully quantify the risks of exclusive vaping, smoking, and dual use. Researchers stressed that preventing initiation of vaping, especially among youths, is key to reducing future cases of hypertension and heart disease.
While vaping has been promoted as a safer alternative to smoking, health experts caution that e-cigarettes are not risk-free. The World Health Organization has previously highlighted that the long-term effects remain uncertain, and vaping should not be considered a guaranteed method to quit smoking.
Professor Agbaje added, “Societal and governmental interventions are crucial to protect young people from nicotine addiction. Adolescents who start vaping are far more likely to transition to traditional cigarettes, increasing their long-term risk of cardiovascular disease.”
This research underscores the importance of raising public awareness about the potential cardiovascular dangers of vaping, alongside existing tobacco control efforts, as e-cigarette use continues to rise in the UK and globally.
