The Impact of Regular E-Cigarette Usage on Cardiovascular Health in Young Adults

Introduction: Electronic (e-) cigarettes are battery-powered devices that heat e-liquid into an aerosol that users inhale. They are the most commonly used tobacco products among youth and young adults. Short-term e-cigarette use has been associated with adverse markers of cardiovascular health; however, the long-term effects of regular use on cardiovascular health and disease risk remain unclear. Purpose: The main objective of this dissertation is to examine the impact of regular e-cigarette use on cardiovascular health and disease risk. Methods: We investigated cardiovascular health in regular users of e-cigarettes and non-users who are otherwise young, apparently healthy individuals. A comprehensive evaluation of cardiovascular health through cardiorespiratory fitness, macrovascular health, microvascular function, and autonomic health was completed. Results: The major findings of the study indicate that, compared to non-users, young and apparently healthy, regular users of e-cigarettes exhibited impaired cardiovascular health. In particular, reduced cardiorespiratory fitness, impaired microvascular function, and altered autonomic health were observed while macrovascular function was diminished in those who use e-cigarettes for a longer time. Additionally, underlying mechanisms contributing to impaired microvascular function in users of e-cigarettes were also identified. Conclusion: This work contributes to a growing body of literature on the cardiovascular effects of regular e-cigarette use in young adults offering new insights into mechanisms affected by the use.