It’s an immediate effect.
A new imaging study reveals that even nicotine-free e-cigarettes can have an immediate impact on blood vessels. The research challenges the perception that e-cigarettes are a safer alternative to traditional tobacco products. Dr. Marianne Nabbout, a resident at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, led the study to investigate the vascular effects of vaping with and without nicotine.
The study, conducted at the University of Pennsylvania, involved 31 healthy adults aged 21 to 49 who were regular smokers or vapers. Participants underwent MRI scans both before and after using three different products: traditional tobacco cigarettes, e-cigarettes containing nicotine, and nicotine-free e-cigarettes. A specialized imaging technique, phase-contrast MRI, was used to assess blood flow in the brain and femoral artery, a major blood vessel supplying the lower body.
To test vascular response, a cuff was placed on each participant’s upper thigh to restrict blood flow. Upon releasing the cuff, researchers measured how quickly oxygenated blood flowed through the femoral artery and how effectively oxygen returned to the heart. These results were compared to scans from a control group of 10 non-smokers and non-vapers aged 21 to 33.
The findings were significant: all forms of smoking or vaping caused a measurable decline in blood flow through the femoral artery. E-cigarettes containing nicotine had the most pronounced effect, but even nicotine-free e-cigarettes led to reduced blood flow and lower oxygen levels in the veins. This suggests that vaping, regardless of nicotine content, may compromise vascular function.
Dr. Nabbout emphasized the potential long-term risks, noting that if vaping can immediately affect blood vessels, chronic use could contribute to vascular diseases over time. She urged individuals to avoid both smoking and vaping, stressing that refraining from these habits is always the best choice.
The research will be presented on December 2 at the Radiological Society of North America meeting in Chicago. While these findings offer valuable insights, it is important to note that research presented at conferences is considered preliminary until it undergoes peer review and is published in a scientific journal.
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