Greek Study: E-Cigarettes May Be Harmful and Could Lead to Aortic Stiffening

E-cigarettes can be a helpful aid for quitting smoking, but they also have side effects, such as addiction and lung damage. According to the French health magazine TOPSANTE, a study from the Athens University Medical School in Greece suggests that e-cigarettes may cause aortic stiffening and trigger cardiovascular disease.

The study monitored the heart rate and degree of aortic stiffness in 24 young smokers. The results showed that using an e-cigarette for 30 minutes was equivalent to actively smoking a traditional cigarette for 5 minutes. During that period, the instruments were able to clearly detect the process of aortic stiffening. The researchers explained that the aorta is the main artery of the systemic circulation. The stiffer it becomes, the harder it is to pump blood, which can lead to a series of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, hypotension, and atherosclerosis.

The researchers emphasized that e-cigarettes are not harmless devices and should be used in moderation, although they are still less harmful than traditional cigarettes.