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A recent study led by researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) warns that vaping may accelerate the aging of blood vessels, presenting serious cardiovascular risks. The study, conducted by a team from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI), and UC Irvine, sheds light on the distinct yet severe effects of both e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes on heart and vascular health.
Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA), the research suggests that while traditional cigarettes damage heart function, nicotine-containing e-cigarettes impair vascular function. This groundbreaking study used a novel fluid dynamics-based analysis technique to measure the impact of nicotine exposure and was led by Rashid Alavi, a mechanical engineering PhD student, under the guidance of Niema Pahlevan, a leading expert in cardiovascular diagnostics.
Study Highlights: Innovative Methods and Key Findings
The study utilized an innovative method based on fluid dynamics to assess how nicotine exposure from both e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes affects the cardiovascular system. While animal models were used for the research, the findings have direct applications to humans. Remarkably, smartphone-compatible tools were developed as part of the study, allowing for non-invasive assessment of cardiovascular health through smartphone cameras.
“For human applications, a smartphone camera can capture images of the neck skin, and algorithms then extract vessel wall dilation from skin vibrations,” explained Pahlevan. “This dilation mirrors the pressure waveform in large arteries such as the carotid.”
The results showed that nicotine-containing e-cigarettes have a pronounced negative impact on vascular function, particularly in the left ventricle and arterial coupling, suggesting long-term damage. Traditional cigarettes, on the other hand, primarily impaired the heart’s left ventricle contractile function.
“Vaping with nicotine is causing accelerated aging of the vascular system,” said Pahlevan.
Implications for Public Health and Smoking Cessation
The study raises critical concerns about the growing popularity of e-cigarettes, especially as a smoking cessation aid. While e-cigarettes are often marketed as a safer alternative to traditional smoking, this study indicates they carry significant risks for cardiovascular health.
“People believe e-cigarettes are much better than traditional cigarettes,” said Pahlevan. “However, e-cigarettes with nicotine have many adverse effects, so they need to be carefully considered.”
Alavi, the study’s lead author, emphasized the importance of public awareness. “We want to help people make informed decisions about whether to use a substance or not,” he said. “When blood vessels become impaired, this eventually impacts the heart.”
New Tools for Public Health Monitoring
The study’s most promising innovation lies in the development of smartphone-compatible tools. These tools allow individuals who vape to monitor their cardiovascular health by using a simple app to measure carotid pressure waveforms through their phone’s camera.
“This technique is highly sensitive to detecting cardiovascular abnormalities, even more so than some standard methods,” said Dr. Robert Kloner, Chief Scientific Officer at HMRI. The research team aims to move forward with human clinical trials to validate these tools further.
The Road Ahead: Human Trials and Broader Implications
As vaping continues to gain popularity worldwide, understanding its long-term effects is more critical than ever. This study offers a cost-effective, accessible method for detecting early cardiovascular damage, potentially transforming public health surveillance. The research, funded by the University of California and the James G. Boswell Foundation, is a significant step toward improving how we monitor and understand the impact of nicotine on our bodies.
The next phase of the research will involve human clinical trials, aiming to assess the real-world effectiveness of these tools in preventing long-term cardiovascular damage.
Reference:
“Adverse Cardiovascular Effects of Nicotine Delivered by Chronic Electronic Cigarettes or Standard Cigarettes Captured by Cardiovascular Intrinsic Frequencies” published on September 11, 2024, in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA). DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.124.035462.
This research was supported by the University of California and the James G. Boswell Foundation.
