Study: E-cigarette vapors harmful to blood vessels

Electronic cigarettes have become a trend in the United States, making them an alternative to nicotine cigarettes in some cases.

A new study done by Boston University School of Medicine found that the flavored vapors used in e-cigarettes could be just as harmful as nicotine.

The vapors were tested in endothelial cells, the cells that line the inside of arteries that pump blood to vital organs.

“These vapor flavors decrease the production of nitric oxide so they are harmful for the functioning of the vessels,” said Dr. Oscar Munoz, an interventional cardiologist at Del Sol Medical Center.

Nitric oxide helps arteries expand to get the blood flowing.

“The general concept is that if you don’t do nicotine, if you don’t smoke cigarettes then vapor cigarettes are likely a good alternative because they are not risky at all, but they are risky,” Munoz said.

The study said there is enough evidence to show that the long term effects include cardiovascular disease, heart attack or stroke.

To read the entire study, click here.