Juan P. Cuadrado, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Villa Mercedes, San Luis, Argentina
José L. Morales-Arteaga, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Panamericana, Ciudad de México, México
Sofia Álvarez, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Villa Mercedes, San Luis, Argentina
Giuliana A. Cabrera, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Villa Mercedes, San Luis, Argentina
Camila Chacón, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Villa Mercedes, San Luis, Argentina
Victoria Barroso, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Villa Mercedes, San Luis, Argentina
Iris Chiavassa, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Villa Mercedes, San Luis, Argentina
Paula Attar, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Villa Mercedes, San Luis, Argentina
Sofia Moreno, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
Florencia Vílchez, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
Óscar A. Atienza, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Villa Mercedes, San Luis, Argentina
Adrian Baranchuk, Division of Cardiology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canadá
Juan M. Farina, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, EE.UU.
The use of electronic cigarettes has grown exponentially over the past decade, promoted as a safer alternative to smoking and as a smoking cessation tool. However, current scientific evidence suggests that vaping may have significant adverse effects on cardiovascular health. This review analyzes preclinical and clinical studies, evaluating the relationship between vaping and cardiovascular risk. Pathophysiological mechanisms such as oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, platelet activation, nicotine-induced hypertension, and atherosclerosis are explored. Associations with coronary syndromes, cerebrovascular disease, and events such as cardiac arrest and sudden death are also documented. While e-cigarettes may pose a lower risk than traditional tobacco, they are not harmless. Dual use with conventional cigarettes appears to increase overall risk. Their effectiveness as a cessation tool is also questionable. Given the growing evidence of cardiovascular harm, the article concludes that longitudinal studies are needed to clarify long-term safety and inform more rigorous public health policies.
Keywords: Vaping. Nicotine. Atherosclerosis. Hypertension. Endothelium. Coronary.