E-cigarettes may damage the heart, scientists say, as they ask Public Health England to stop recommending vaping
90 per cent of studies which had no conflict of interest showed impact on the heart CREDIT: ALAMY
- Sarah Knapton, science editor 8 SEPTEMBER 2019
E-cigarettes may damage the heart, scientists have concluded, and have called for Public Health England (PHE) to stop recommending vaping.
Researchers looked at 38 studies into the cardiovascular impact of vaping and found worrying signs of damage in nearly three quarters of tests.
When they discounted trials which had been funded by the tobacco industry – or where the scientists involved had conflicts of interest – the number of studies showing harm rose to 90 per cent.
Asked whether PHE should now change its advice, Martin McKee, Professor of European Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who co-authored the new analysis said: “The simple answer is yes.”
for complete article https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2019/09/08/e-cigarettes-may-damage-heart-scientists-say-ask-public-health/
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The cardiovascular effects of electronic cigarettes: A systematic review of experimental studies.
Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Bispebjerg-Frederiksberg University Hospital, Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark; Danish Heart Foundation, Copenhagen, Denmark; University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, Denmark. Electronic address: [email protected].
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Smoking is responsible for substantial cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Electronic cigarettes have been advocated as a means to reduce this disease burden; by reducing exposure to harmful substances in smokers who are unable to quit. Concerns have been raised however, about cardiovascular effects of their use, with inhalants containing carbonyls and fine particulate matter. We systematically reviewed experimental studies of in vitro, animal, and human cardiovascular effects associated with electronic cigarette use.
DISCUSSION: Most studies suggest potential for cardiovascular harm from electronic cigarette use, through mechanisms that increase risk of thrombosis and atherosclerosis. Notably, studies with conflicts of interest are significantly less likely to identify concerning cardiovascular effects. Included studies examine healthy, adult participants, limiting generalisation to potential high-risk groups including individuals with established cardiovascular disease or young, non-smokers.
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
PMID: 31344384 DOI:10.1016/j.ypmed.2019.105770