Hemodynamic effects of electronic and conventional cigarette smoking: a meta-analysis

Currently electronic cigarettes are widely used as an alternative to conventional tobacco smoking, particularly among young people and individuals attempting to quit smoking. However, their impact on the cardiovascular system remains insufficiently understood and continues to generate debate within the scientific community. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the acute effects of nicotine-containing and nicotine-free electronic cigarettes on key hemodynamic parameters, including systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate, in comparison with conventional cigarettes. The analysis included 22 studies published over the past 10 years (2014–2024), encompassing a total of 590 participants. Results of meta-analysis revealed that nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes produce statistically significant increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as heart rate. Conventional cigarettes demonstrated a similar effect on these indicators, although the magnitude of change was greater for nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes, likely due to the additional toxic components present in tobacco smoke. Notably, nicotine-free electronic cigarettes showed no statistically significant impact on the analyzed hemodynamic indicators. These results highlight the importance of considering the potential cardiovascular risks associated with electronic cigarette use, especially those containing nicotine. Further research is required to evaluate the long-term effects of electronic cigarettes use on cardiovascular system.