E-cigarettes are Linked to Higher Risk of Stroke and Heart Attack

In the largest cross-sectional study to date examining e-cigarettes and stroke, researchers found that compared with nonusers, people who use e-cigarettes have a:

• 71 percent higher risk of stroke.
• 59 percent higher risk of heart attack or angina.
• 40 percent higher risk of heart disease.
• The researchers looked at 66,795 people who were regularly using e-cigarettes. The control group was 343,856 people who reported having never used e-cigarettes.

“Even as we consider electronic cigarettes as a means of aiding in smoking cessation, we need to be careful about the impact this may have on the health of folks,” said lead researcher Dr. Paul Ndunda. He is an assistant professor with the University of Kansas School of Medicine, in Wichita.

CDC Urges People to Stop Vaping After The Third Death From a Severe Lung Disease

The CDC, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating an outbreak of severe pulmonary disease associated with e-cigarette product (devices, liquids, refill pods, and/or cartridges) use.

This investigation is ongoing and has not identified a cause, but all reported cases have a history of using e-cigarette products. While this investigation is ongoing, the CDC advises to avoid using e-cigarette products.

Vapers ‘At Risk of Irreversible Popcorn Lung’ if They Puff on Flavored E-Cigarettes

Flavored e-cigarette contains chemicals that can cause inflammation in the tiny airways in your lungs. E-cigarette vapor can also cause a lung condition called “popcorn lung.”

Popcorn lung is a chronic lung disease also known as bronchiolitis obliterans (BO). This causes scarring of tiny air sacs in your lungs. Popcorn lung causes your airways to thicken and narrow. In serious cases, popcorn lung can cause symptoms similar to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. (3)

A 2017 study into the health risks associated with puffing on e-cigarette found that some vape flavor packs contain a chemical called diacetyl. The American Lung Association says that when inhaled, diacetyl causes bronchiolitis obliterans (popcorn lung). (2 , 3)

The American Lung Association warns that popcorn lung is a dangerous risk of e-cigraettes because their vapor may contain diacetyl. (3)

The “popcorn lung” effect of vaping was termed as it was associated with workers in popcorn factories. The chemical diacetyl was used in popcorn factories to give popcorn a buttery taste. However, doctors found that breathing in vapors containing diacetyl caused serious lung disorders.

One study found that out of 51 different flavors of vape juice, diacetyl was found in 39. In some cases, the amount of diacetyl in the e-cigarette liquid was well above the recommended limits. (4)

According to a warning by Surgeon General in the U.S., there are many negative effects of vaping. Flavorings such as diacetyl in many e-cigarette liquids can increase your risk of developing popcorn lung. Breathing in vape smoke can also increase your risk of inhaling lung-damaging chemicals. (5)

Of course, the e-cigarette industry is now a multi-billion industry and likes to promote the “health benefits” of vaping. Even though diacetyl as a vape liquid ingredient is banned in European Union countries, is vaping really bad for your lungs?

As you will see, even though e-cigarette may be less toxic than regular cigarettes, they are still associated with cancer-causing chemicals.

E-cigarette users show cancer-linked genetic changes

One of the dangers of getting addicted to vaping is that you expose your lungs to carcinogenic chemicals.

According to research published in 2019, electronic cigarettes contain chemicals that can cause cancer. E-cigarette liquids are usually a combination of propylene glycol, glycerin, flavors, and nicotine. Chemical analyses of many e-liquids show that they contain toxic ingredients that are carcinogens. Many of these are also present in cigarette smoke. (6)

Researchers warn that, although levels of carcinogens in e-cigarettes vapors are less than cigarette smoke, they still pose a cancer risk. The research concluded that vaping (e-cigarette use) causes damage to important genes that are connected with smoking-related cancer. (6)

There is also a potential cancer risk of inhaling “second-hand” vape smoke. However, more research needs to be done.

Studies have also shown that vapes can be especially bad for youths and adolescents. E-cigarettes can boost carcinogenic enzymes and increase the number of free radicals. This could have a damaging effect on younger e-cigarette users. (7)

According to information provided by the National Cancer Institute, e-cigarettes contain potentially harmful chemicals. The mist vapor inhaled in the lungs and oral cavity contains nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals of varying amounts. (8)

Other Harmful Effects of Vaping on Your Lungs

Apart from the negative effects of vaping (e-cigarettes), what does vaping do to your lungs?

Vapers are still at risk of lung problems from inhaling aerosol while vaping. For example, studies show that it is difficult to determine how much chemical residue affects different areas of the lung. Some studies suggest that frequent vaping could result in developing asthmatic-like symptoms due to respiratory irritation. (9)

Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health reported that vaping can hurt your lungs more than just having popcorn lung. A combination of various chemicals and nicotine can result in serious, permanent lung damage. (10)

One 2018 study found that breathing in vape mist has a similar effect on lung function as smoking regular cigarettes. Some of the effects of vaping on your lungs include decreased respiratory function and negative impact on lung biology. (11)

It is also important to remember that nicotine is an addictive substance and that vaping can be addictive. Other studies have shown that being addicted to vaping can result in chronic exposure to nicotine that can damage lung health. Over time, vapers who frequently vape e-cigarettes may develop symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). (12)

Is Vaping Without Nicotine Bad for Your Lungs?

There are still dangers to your lung health if you vape liquid that is nicotine-free.

Research published in the journal Frontiers in Physiology reported that nicotine-free e-juices can still affect lung function. Although the vaping ingredient propylene glycol is generally regarded as nontoxic, flavorings in e-cigarette liquid can cause irritation and inflammation. Certain combinations of chemical flavorings can also result in tissue damage. (13)

Due to dangers to your lung health associated with vaping, the researchers in 2018 study recommended avoiding all forms of vaping until more research has been published. (14)

Other Dangers of Vaping

Ingredients and chemicals in vape juice also pose other health risks apart from lung disease.A 2018 report on the effects of vaping reported that there is much debate on the benefits and health risks of vaping. For example, some researchers are concerned that you can still get addicted to vaping and that using vaporizers has “re-normalized” smoking. (15)

Vaporized e-cigarette juice also contains chemicals that scientists haven’t yet fully researched. For example, e-cigarette liquid contains ingredients that can cause irritation and inflammation in the lungs. There is a danger that chemicals in vape juice such as formaldehyde and solvents can combine into cancer-causing chemicals. (16)