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Is Vaping Linked to High Blood Pressure? What the Research Shows

By Know Your Vape · · Updated

Contents

Overview of vaping and its popularity

Nicotine vapes raise blood pressure and heart rate for a short time after use. Whether vaping causes long-term high blood pressure (hypertension) has not been shown, because the long-term studies haven't been done.

Vaping is less harmful than smoking for adults who switch completely, but it is not safe. It is not for non-smokers, anyone under 21, or pregnant people.

Understanding High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, or hypertension, means the force of blood against your artery walls is consistently too high. Left untreated, it raises the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems.

What is high blood pressure?

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and has two numbers. Systolic pressure is the force when your heart beats, and diastolic pressure is the force between beats.

According to the NHLBI's guide to high blood pressure, you have high blood pressure if your readings are consistently 130 systolic or higher, or 80 diastolic or higher.

Causes and risk factors

Some people inherit a higher risk of high blood pressure. Many risk factors can be changed, though.

Common risk factors include a high-sodium diet, heavy drinking, smoking, low physical activity, obesity, diabetes, kidney disease, stress, and older age.

High blood pressure often causes no symptoms, so regular checks are the only reliable way to catch it.

Read more about the risks of e-cigarettes on KnowYourVape.com.

The Effects of Vaping on the Body

Nicotine and its Impact on Blood Pressure

Most vapes contain nicotine. NIDA explains that nicotine triggers the release of epinephrine (adrenaline), which raises blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing.

This rise is short term. Whether repeated spikes over years lead to lasting hypertension in vapers is still unknown.

Chemicals in Vaping Products and Potential Risks

Vape aerosol can also contain formaldehyde, acrolein, volatile organic compounds, and metals. These substances can cause inflammation and oxidative stress in the body.

There is no direct evidence that these chemicals cause high blood pressure in vapers. More research is needed.

Research on Vaping and High Blood Pressure

Studies and Findings

The 2018 National Academies review is the most thorough summary of the evidence. It found moderate evidence that diastolic blood pressure rises shortly after nicotine intake from e-cigarettes.

It found only limited evidence for short-term rises in systolic blood pressure. It found insufficient evidence on whether vaping changes blood pressure over the long term.

Correlation vs. Causation

Some studies find that people who vape have higher blood pressure. That kind of finding shows a link, not a cause.

Many vapers smoke now or used to smoke, and smoking, diet, weight, and genetics all affect blood pressure. Only long-term studies that account for those factors can show whether vaping itself causes hypertension.

Next section: Other Factors to Consider

Other Factors to Consider

Vaping is only one of many things that affect blood pressure.

Lifestyle choices matter most. Smoking, heavy drinking, and inactivity all raise blood pressure. Vaping is less harmful than smoking, but it is not a safe habit, and nicotine from either source raises blood pressure in the short term.

Diet plays a big role. Eating less sodium and more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy can help keep blood pressure in a healthy range.

Pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and kidney disease raise the risk of hypertension. If you have one of these, work with your healthcare provider to manage your blood pressure.

For more information on the risks of vaping and its potential impact on various aspects of health, you can visit KnowYourVape.com.

Tips for Managing High Blood Pressure

Quitting vaping

The NHLBI lists quitting smoking among the steps to control high blood pressure. Cutting out nicotine entirely, including from vapes, removes its short-term effect on blood pressure.

If you still smoke, don't use vapes alongside cigarettes. Dual use is not effective and may increase your exposure to toxins. For free quit help, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Healthy lifestyle choices

Regular activity such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling can help lower blood pressure. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week.

Limit sodium and processed foods, limit alcohol, and work toward a healthy weight.

Seeking medical advice

Your healthcare provider can check your readings, look for other causes, and prescribe medication if needed. They can also help you choose a quit method, such as nicotine replacement therapy or prescription medicine.

Conclusion

Nicotine from vaping raises blood pressure for a short time after each use. That is well established.

Whether vaping causes lasting high blood pressure is not proven. If you have hypertension, quitting nicotine and following a healthy lifestyle are the safest steps, and your doctor can help with both.

Sources

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