A STUDY COMPARING THE SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF WATERPIPE AND E-CIGARETTE USE ON BLOOD PRESSURE AND HEART RATE AMONG YOUNG ADULTS IN PAKISTAN

Background: The increasing use of waterpipes and e-cigarettes among young adults in Pakistan has raised public health concerns due to their potential cardiovascular effects. These products are frequently marketed as safer alternatives to traditional cigarettes, despite limited research into their acute and chronic impacts on blood pressure and heart rate. Understanding these effects is crucial for addressing misconceptions and mitigating their health risks. Objective: To evaluate the short-term and long-term effects of waterpipe and e-cigarette use on blood pressure and heart rate among young adults in Pakistan. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 265 participants divided into three groups: 88 waterpipe users, 89 e-cigarette users, and 88 non-smokers. Participants were recruited from social settings where these habits are common. Short-term effects were assessed in a controlled laboratory environment, where cardiovascular parameters were recorded at baseline, immediately post-exposure, and at 15-minute intervals over one hour following a 30-minute waterpipe session or a 15-minute e-cigarette session. Long-term effects were measured over a six-month follow-up, with resting blood pressure and heart rate assessed at baseline, three months, and six months. Participants with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions or those on medications affecting cardiovascular parameters were excluded. Results: Waterpipe users exhibited an acute increase in systolic blood pressure (10 mmHg) and heart rate (15 bpm), with recovery within 60 minutes. E-cigarette users showed slightly lower increases (8 mmHg and 12 bpm, respectively) and prolonged recovery exceeding 60 minutes. Long-term effects included sustained elevations in systolic blood pressure (6 mmHg) and resting heart rate (5 bpm) among waterpipe users, and similar but slightly lower increases (5 mmHg and 4 bpm) in e-cigarette users. Non-smokers showed no significant changes. Conclusion: Waterpipe and e-cigarette use significantly affect cardiovascular health, causing acute and chronic increases in blood pressure and heart rate. Public health interventions and stricter regulations are essential to mitigate these risks.