Does Vaping Cause High Blood Pressure? All Your Questions Answered
Does vaping cause high blood pressure? It is a question many people ask as they look for alternatives to smoking and whether e-cigarettes can help them quit. While the evidence is clear that smoking cigarettes is bad for your heart health, there is less evidence proving that e-cigarettes and nicotine alone can be detrimental to your heart. But, new studies show there are some links between nicotine ingestion and heart diseases like high blood pressure and coronary heart disease.
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Effects of E-Cigarettes on the Heart
The impact of e-cigarette vaping on a person’s health has only started, and in that time, there have been many important discoveries. Much research has been done into the effects e-cigarettes have on a person’s overall health since many smokers have turned to vaping to quit their tobacco habit.
Researchers have tried to discover any positive health benefits to vaping and whether individual organs like the lungs, brain, and heart are significantly affected. The consensus is that while nicotine does not have any harmful effects, it does cause adverse reactions in people with heart disease.
The impact of e-cigarette vaping on a person’s health has only started, and in that time, there have been many important discoveries. Much research has been done into the effects e-cigarettes have on a person’s overall health since many smokers have turned to vaping to quit their tobacco habit.
Researchers have tried to discover any positive health benefits to vaping and whether individual organs like the lungs, brain, and heart are significantly affected. The consensus is that while nicotine does not have any harmful effects, it does cause adverse reactions in people with heart disease.
What Does Nicotine Do?
Nicotine is a stimulant that also has sedative properties, which means that it affects different parts of the body differently. While it releases pleasure hormones in the brain, nicotine raises a person’s heart rate and increases blood pressure. These changes are temporary, but over time they can lead to the development of heart disease.
People who already suffer from heart diseases like high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, and high cholesterol are at risk of nicotine consumption, even from an e-cigarette. This is because nicotine can raise their heart rate and blood pressure to dangerous levels and potentially lead to a heart attack.
Nicotine is a stimulant that also has sedative properties, which means that it affects different parts of the body differently. While it releases pleasure hormones in the brain, nicotine raises a person’s heart rate and increases blood pressure. These changes are temporary, but over time they can lead to the development of heart disease.
People who already suffer from heart diseases like high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, and high cholesterol are at risk of nicotine consumption, even from an e-cigarette. This is because nicotine can raise their heart rate and blood pressure to dangerous levels and potentially lead to a heart attack.
How E-Cigarettes Affect Blood Pressure
E-cigarettes, with or without nicotine, can still adversely affect body functions like blood pressure and heart rate. Various studies have concluded that e-cigarettes, even those without any nicotine, can cause increases in blood pressure and heart rate, albeit temporarily. However, the long-term effects on the heart and other body parts are still unknown, so many more studies are needed.
Conversely, other studies have shown that people who transition from regular cigarettes to e-cigarettes improve in various areas. For example, one study found blood vessels were much less constricted in people who had changed from smoking to vaping. There were also improvements in cardiovascular functions, regardless of whether there was nicotine or not in the e-cigarettes.
E-cigarettes, with or without nicotine, can still adversely affect body functions like blood pressure and heart rate. Various studies have concluded that e-cigarettes, even those without any nicotine, can cause increases in blood pressure and heart rate, albeit temporarily. However, the long-term effects on the heart and other body parts are still unknown, so many more studies are needed.
Conversely, other studies have shown that people who transition from regular cigarettes to e-cigarettes improve in various areas. For example, one study found blood vessels were much less constricted in people who had changed from smoking to vaping. There were also improvements in cardiovascular functions, regardless of whether there was nicotine or not in the e-cigarettes.
Is Vaping or Smoking Worse for Blood Pressure?
Nicotine and its prevalence in e-liquids vaped by vapers are what stains the otherwise clean health record of e-cigarettes. So while the hazards associated with smoking do not occur with vaping, e-cigarettes carry their own health risks and that is partly attributable to nicotine.
These are some of the effects non-smoking nicotine consumption can have on the body:
- Restricted blood vessels
- Raising of heart rate
- Hardening of arteries
- Increased nicotine exposure can lead to type 2 diabetes
- Increased levels of insulin in the body
- Nicotine is an addictive stimulant, so continual usage can change the brain’s chemistry
- Altered brain chemistry is especially troubling for young people, who might in the future be more susceptible to other addictive behaviors
- Exposure to high concentrations of pure nicotine can be fatal
Something that is lost in the debate on whether e-cigarettes are suitable as nicotine replacement, especially by advocates of vaping, was pointed out by cardiologist Dr. John Ryan of the University of Utah.
Dr. Ryan, perhaps correctly, points out that while e-cigarettes, like other nicotine replacement therapies, can help a person transition from lethal cigarette smoking to mere nicotine ingestion, people continue using e-cigarettes.
While people on NRTs eventually phase out nicotine altogether, e-cigarettes continue feeding nicotine addiction, and with it, all the other negative effects nicotine has on the body, high blood pressure included. Dr. Ryan also points out that e-cigarettes contribute to the “re-normalizing” of “cigarette smoking, nicotine consumption, and tobacco use.”
Ingesting nicotine is something people do not have to do, Dr. Ryan wisely points out, unlike eating and regulating food or fat consumption. If ingesting nicotine leads to increased blood pressure, restricting blood vessels, and hardening of the arteries, all of which can lead to a heart attack, why continue ingesting nicotine at all, seems to be the question Dr. Ryan wants to ask.
Nicotine and its prevalence in e-liquids vaped by vapers are what stains the otherwise clean health record of e-cigarettes. So while the hazards associated with smoking do not occur with vaping, e-cigarettes carry their own health risks and that is partly attributable to nicotine.
These are some of the effects non-smoking nicotine consumption can have on the body:
- Restricted blood vessels
- Raising of heart rate
- Hardening of arteries
- Increased nicotine exposure can lead to type 2 diabetes
- Increased levels of insulin in the body
- Nicotine is an addictive stimulant, so continual usage can change the brain’s chemistry
- Altered brain chemistry is especially troubling for young people, who might in the future be more susceptible to other addictive behaviors
- Exposure to high concentrations of pure nicotine can be fatal
Something that is lost in the debate on whether e-cigarettes are suitable as nicotine replacement, especially by advocates of vaping, was pointed out by cardiologist Dr. John Ryan of the University of Utah.
Dr. Ryan, perhaps correctly, points out that while e-cigarettes, like other nicotine replacement therapies, can help a person transition from lethal cigarette smoking to mere nicotine ingestion, people continue using e-cigarettes.
While people on NRTs eventually phase out nicotine altogether, e-cigarettes continue feeding nicotine addiction, and with it, all the other negative effects nicotine has on the body, high blood pressure included. Dr. Ryan also points out that e-cigarettes contribute to the “re-normalizing” of “cigarette smoking, nicotine consumption, and tobacco use.”
Ingesting nicotine is something people do not have to do, Dr. Ryan wisely points out, unlike eating and regulating food or fat consumption. If ingesting nicotine leads to increased blood pressure, restricting blood vessels, and hardening of the arteries, all of which can lead to a heart attack, why continue ingesting nicotine at all, seems to be the question Dr. Ryan wants to ask.
CBD and Heart Health
Cannabidiol or CBD is a plant-based cannabinoid that is non-intoxicating like its counterpart, tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, the main intoxicating constituent of marijuana. As a result, CBD has become a subject of interest for many because of its potentially beneficial health effects.
Many people are eager to discover whether consuming CBD regularly can have any positive effects on heart health. There has been much evidence to point to the fact that CBD has a beneficial impact on a person’s cardiovascular health. For example, one study showed that the cannabinoid relaxed constricted arteries due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Another way that CBD improves heart health is by reducing stress. This same study found that people responded to stressors much better than those who did not consume CBD, meaning less stress was placed on their hearts, which can often have physical effects like increased heart rate and blood pressure.
Cannabidiol or CBD is a plant-based cannabinoid that is non-intoxicating like its counterpart, tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, the main intoxicating constituent of marijuana. As a result, CBD has become a subject of interest for many because of its potentially beneficial health effects.
Many people are eager to discover whether consuming CBD regularly can have any positive effects on heart health. There has been much evidence to point to the fact that CBD has a beneficial impact on a person’s cardiovascular health. For example, one study showed that the cannabinoid relaxed constricted arteries due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Another way that CBD improves heart health is by reducing stress. This same study found that people responded to stressors much better than those who did not consume CBD, meaning less stress was placed on their hearts, which can often have physical effects like increased heart rate and blood pressure.
How to Prevent or Treat High Blood Pressure?
People diagnosed with high blood pressure are typically prescribed several medications to help them regulate their blood pressure. If a person smokes regularly, they would usually be recommended to quit smoking, regardless of whether they contain nicotine, people who vape should also quit as it can aggravate symptoms of high blood pressure and lead to more severe outcomes.
People diagnosed with high blood pressure are typically prescribed several medications to help them regulate their blood pressure. If a person smokes regularly, they would usually be recommended to quit smoking, regardless of whether they contain nicotine, people who vape should also quit as it can aggravate symptoms of high blood pressure and lead to more severe outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does vaping increase heart rate?
Vaping, whether with nicotine or non-nicotine e-cigarettes, does increase your heart rate, but temporarily. The effects are similar to when smoking traditional cigarettes, as the effects do not last a long time. But the spikes in heart rate can be detrimental over the long term and lead to more severe conditions. Therefore, people with heart disease should not smoke or vape at all.
How long after quitting vaping will blood pressure go down?
Blood pressure can return to normal levels after not vaping for up to half an hour or twelve hours. There is no definitive answer, but the time frame is similar to what smokers experience when they stop smoking for at least a week or two.
How do nicotine-free e-cigarettes affect blood vessels?
There is no answer to how nicotine-free e-cigarettes affect blood vessels since many studies have found that even nicotine-free e-cigarettes can adversely affect heart rate and blood pressure. Therefore, there must be some other reason that scientists have not discovered yet.
Does Quitting Vaping Lower Blood Pressure?
Researchers say that one of the first effects of quitting vaping is recovering the heart rate and blood pressure from the nicotine-induced spikes.
Does vaping increase heart rate?
Vaping, whether with nicotine or non-nicotine e-cigarettes, does increase your heart rate, but temporarily. The effects are similar to when smoking traditional cigarettes, as the effects do not last a long time. But the spikes in heart rate can be detrimental over the long term and lead to more severe conditions. Therefore, people with heart disease should not smoke or vape at all.
How long after quitting vaping will blood pressure go down?
Blood pressure can return to normal levels after not vaping for up to half an hour or twelve hours. There is no definitive answer, but the time frame is similar to what smokers experience when they stop smoking for at least a week or two.
How do nicotine-free e-cigarettes affect blood vessels?
There is no answer to how nicotine-free e-cigarettes affect blood vessels since many studies have found that even nicotine-free e-cigarettes can adversely affect heart rate and blood pressure. Therefore, there must be some other reason that scientists have not discovered yet.
Does Quitting Vaping Lower Blood Pressure?
Researchers say that one of the first effects of quitting vaping is recovering the heart rate and blood pressure from the nicotine-induced spikes.
Conclusion
Vaping does have acute effects on the heart, specifically heart rate and blood pressure. The same holds true whether people are vaping e-cigarettes with or without nicotine. The good news is that the effects of vaping on the heart are temporary, except, over time, vaping could lead to the development of more severe heart conditions like arrhythmia, high blood pressure, and constricting of the arteries.
Vaping does have acute effects on the heart, specifically heart rate and blood pressure. The same holds true whether people are vaping e-cigarettes with or without nicotine. The good news is that the effects of vaping on the heart are temporary, except, over time, vaping could lead to the development of more severe heart conditions like arrhythmia, high blood pressure, and constricting of the arteries.
Barb
October 25, 2021 at 9:34 amI was looking for information on vaping. Specifically as to how it affects people who live with someone who vapes.
If it can cause high blood pressure second hand. Has that even been studied.
CiggyFree
August 16, 2019 at 5:59 amI’ve been checking BP daily since (SCAD) heart attack in 2015. Quit cigarettes fall of 2018 by moving to vaping. Weaned down from 12 mgs to 1.75 mgs currently. Was very surprised as I looked through pre-vaping records that the systolic pressure had increased from an average of 115 to an average of 124.
Trying to get off the vaping now. It was the only thing that worked to get me off the 40 year smoking addiction so hopefully I can now get off the vaping. I had tried all other methods over 10 years.
Now my advice would be, use for short term but get off vaping as soon as possible too.
Stefan
November 6, 2018 at 9:19 amSadly same story here. Went to the doctor to check out something else and they tested the bp. It was very high. Tested a few more times and systolic been above 190 and dystolic above 120. Was put on meds. To early to say if things changes but I have had a suspicion that it is easy to overdose nicotine when vaping, even if I am only using 3 mg/ml. I am using a 50 watt Eleaf Ijust 2. Have to try and dump it for now and hopefully I will see a change in a few days.
Cody
August 22, 2018 at 7:03 amTo help quit chewing I started vaping. I never had high blood pressure before in my life. Vaping was so easy to do that I found myself doing it all the time. After 6 months I had some routine dental cleanings and later a physical. Had very high BP so went to see a cardiologist. He put me on BP pills then later had to up the dosage and that didn’t work. I put 2 and 2 together and stopped vaping. My bp went back to a normal range within 3 days and has stayed there. When I chewed and smoked at times I never had high BP but did with vaping. Its a shame because I sure liked it.
S
August 18, 2018 at 4:35 amI am using it to actually help me stop smoking weed for a while and i woke up with my heart freaking out time to slow the f**k down in 18 years of smoking pot i never had any issues but i have to take a piss test for union even though it legal in my state such bs i was better off on weed
Terri Simmons
July 9, 2018 at 1:58 pmI have spent 2 years in and out of hospitals with chronic low blood pressure most the time in ICU. I even ended up with a pacemaker. I gave up vaping a few days ago and without the 11 medications the dr had me on. My blood pressure has returned to normal.
joe browning
May 7, 2018 at 1:18 pmMade mine go up now on meds. I’d avoid from now on
Ellen s. Grimes
December 27, 2017 at 1:10 pmI just started vaping about a month ago and I’m just wondering if it will make my blood pressure go high because now the doctor says my blood pressure is really high so I’m wondering if the vaping is doing it I sure hope not because I really like they Poppin
adham k abdelrehim
March 17, 2018 at 11:22 pmThe problem with vaping is that we use it all day and at the end we dont know how much nicotine did we inhale- thats the risk