Titled, “Cardiovascular autonomic effects of electronic cigarette use: a systematic review,” the study aimed to analyze available studies that have investigated the autonomic cardiovascular effects of e-cigarette (EC) use in humans. Available studies on the subject matter were collected and synthesized and special attention was paid to findings related to the acute and chronic effects of e-cigarettes, with differentiations made between the nicotine and non-nicotine containing types.
Five studies compared the acute effects of nicotine and non-nicotine e-cigarettes. Naturally, nicotine ECs had a greater effect than non-nicotine ECs on SBP, DBP and HR, and two studies found no long-term on heart rate and blood pressure from e-cig use in non-smokers.
Examining the long-term effects of switching from smoking to vaping, two studies found a significant decrease in SBP and DBP but not HR. One study found a significant decrease in SBP, but not in DBP or HR, and two studies found no change at all.
“Electronic cigarettes are sympathoexcitatory,” concluded the researchers. “Cardiac sympathoexcitatory effects are less when vaping using the earlier generation ECs than when smoking TCs. Additional studies of the latest pod-like EC devices, which deliver nicotine similarly to a TC, are necessary.”
Vapes may interfere with defibrillators
On a different note, a recent report carried out by researchers at the Cardiovascular Arrhythmia Service, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, had indicated that the magnetic parts in some e-cigarettes may prevent Implanted Cardiac Defibrillators (ICDs) from detecting and reacting to dangerous heart rhythms.
Titled, “Unintentional magnet reversion of an implanted cardiac defibrillator by an electronic cigarette,” the paper narrated the case of a 48 year old man with an ICD who grew concerned after hearing his device beep. After tests were carried out to analyze the functionality of his device, data from the remote transmission indicated 4 magnet interactions with his ICD. These corresponded with the dates and times when the patient heard the steady tone from his device.
Upon further questioning, the patient said that he often carried his vape device in his left breast pocket, and when the researchers then held the e-cigarette close to the defibrillator, the device beeped. The patient said that prior to this incident he had no idea that the JUUL device he used for vaping had an integrated magnetic component, indicating a dire need for education amongst vapers with such implants.
UK Study: Switching From Smoking to Vaping Improves Heart Health
