How Harmful Is Vaping To Your Health? Heart Surgeon Shares Insights

In the past ten years, vaping has emerged as a growing concern for cardiovascular health, particularly among younger people, usurping cigarettes.

Vaping involves inhaling a vaporised mix of nicotine and flavourings (e-liquid) via small devices like e-cigarettes, vape pens, or mods.

As per the Cleveland Clinic, the main distinction between vaping and traditional smoking lies in the absence of smoke inhalation from combusted tobacco; instead, it involves inhaling minute particles of vaporised liquid and chemicals.

The standard ingredients of e-liquid comprise flavouring, nicotine, and propylene glycol with glycerin, responsible for generating the vapour.

Given its growing use, it's natural to question how harmful vaping might be. On Monday, Dr Jeremy London, a highly-regarded cardiovascular surgeon with extensive experience spanning over 25 years, tackled this same inquiry on Instagram.

How Harmful Can Vaping Be To Health?

“Our lungs have a simple function: to bring oxygen to our bodies and to remove carbon dioxide,” highlighted Dr London. “And putting anything else in our lungs can be frankly dangerous.”

The vapour, especially the flavouring, can prove toxic to lung cells, Dr London warned, recounting a case involving an 18-year-old who came in after vaping just once.

Their entire lung system collapsed, necessitating the use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), a machine that functions as an external lung.

“This was called EVALI, e-cigarette or vape-associated lung injury,” Dr London explained. “I've done this multiple times over the years, and several of these patients haven't survived.”

Is Vaping Safer Than Smoking?

Though data related to vaping's long-term effects are limited compared to smoking, the trajectory appears to be similarly concerning, as noted by Dr London.

“Smoking anything is dangerous. Understand the data so that you can make good decisions for yourself,” he advised.

Reminder to Readers: This piece serves informational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. Always speak to your physician about any health condition inquiries.