Over the past decade, vaping has become popular with both adults and teenagers. Many people switched from traditional cigarettes believing e-cigarettes were much safer.
While vaping may expose users to fewer harmful chemicals than cigarette smoke, scientists now say it is far from risk-free. New research continues to reveal that vaping can affect the heart, blood vessels and brain in ways that should not be ignored.
A major review by the American Heart Association summarizes growing scientific evidence linking e-cigarette use with cardiovascular harm. The review also highlights a new study published in the June 2026 issue of Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology.
Researchers reported that certain cooling chemicals added to some vaping products may disturb the heart’s electrical signals, potentially increasing the risk of abnormal heart rhythms.
Unlike ordinary water vapor, e-cigarette aerosol contains nicotine along with flavoring chemicals, solvents, tiny particles and other substances created when the liquid is heated.
Some of these chemicals, including heavy metals and formaldehyde, have already been linked to health problems. Scientists believe repeated exposure may gradually damage the cardiovascular system.
Nicotine is responsible for much of the danger. It quickly enters the bloodstream through the lungs and stimulates the nervous system. Blood pressure rises, the heart beats faster and blood vessels become narrower.
Repeated exposure places extra stress on the heart and may increase blood clotting. Over many years, these effects can raise the risk of heart attacks, strokes and heart failure.
Researchers have also found evidence that vaping may damage the cells lining blood vessels and increase inflammation throughout the body. Healthy blood vessels help control blood flow, but damaged vessels are more likely to develop atherosclerosis, the gradual buildup of fatty plaque that narrows arteries.
Many people are surprised to learn that some e-cigarettes deliver extremely large amounts of nicotine. Certain products contain nicotine equal to or even greater than a pack of cigarettes.
This makes dependence easier to develop and harder to break. Users often experience cravings, anxiety and irritability when nicotine levels fall, leading them to vape repeatedly throughout the day.
Young people face even greater risks because their brains are still developing. Research shows nicotine exposure during adolescence may affect attention, learning, memory and self-control. Experts also worry that attractive fruit and candy flavors encourage teenagers to begin vaping and later become lifelong nicotine users.
For adults who smoke cigarettes, healthcare professionals recommend discussing proven quitting strategies with their doctor. Approved nicotine replacement products, medications and behavioral counseling have been shown to improve the chances of quitting successfully.
The American Heart Association says the ultimate goal should be complete freedom from all tobacco and nicotine products to achieve the greatest protection for heart health.
This review is based on growing scientific evidence rather than a single experiment. It combines findings from many studies and highlights new research published in the June 2026 issue of Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology. This makes the conclusions stronger because they are supported by multiple lines of evidence.
However, researchers also note that e-cigarettes are relatively new products, so scientists are still studying their long-term effects over decades. Overall, the current evidence suggests that vaping is not harmless.
While some adults may use e-cigarettes as part of a plan to quit smoking, people who do not use tobacco—especially children, teenagers and young adults—should avoid starting vaping because of the risks to the heart, blood vessels and brain.
If you care about smoking, please read studies about smoking may increase heart disease risk by 200% and e-cigarette smoke may cause lung cancer and bladder disease.
For more health information, please see recent studies about the cause of weight gain after smoking cessation, and results showing smoking may cause white scars on the brain.
Source: American Heart Association.
