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Electronic Cigarette Use and Blood Pressure Endpoints: a Systematic Review

  • Prevention of Hypertension: Public Health Challenges (Y Yano, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

E-cigarettes (e-cigs) release toxic chemicals known to increase blood pressure (BP) levels. The effects of e-cigs on BP, however, remain unknown. Studying BP may help characterize potential cardiovascular risks of short- and long-term e-cig use. We summarized published studies on the association of e-cig use with BP endpoints.

Recent Findings

Thirteen e-cig trials (12 cross-over designs) and 1 observational study evaluated systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP). All trials included at least one e-cig arm with nicotine, 6 a no-nicotine e-cig arm, and 3 a placebo arm. SBP/DBP increased in most nicotine e-cig arms, in some non-nicotine e-cig arms, and in none of the placebo arms. The observational study followed e-cig users and nonsmokers for 3.5 years with inconsistent findings.

Summary

The use of e-cigs with and without nicotine may result in short-term elevations of both SBP and DBP. Prospective studies that investigate the long-term cardiovascular impact of e-cig use are needed.

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Funding

This work is supported by R01ES029967 and P30ES009089.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Irene Martinez-Morata, Tiffany R. Sanchez & Ana Navas-Acien

  2. Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA

    Daichi Shimbo

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  1. Irene Martinez-Morata
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  2. Tiffany R. Sanchez
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  4. Ana Navas-Acien
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Correspondence to Irene Martinez-Morata or Ana Navas-Acien.

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Martinez-Morata, I., Sanchez, T.R., Shimbo, D. et al. Electronic Cigarette Use and Blood Pressure Endpoints: a Systematic Review. Curr Hypertens Rep 23, 2 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-020-01119-0

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