Key result
E-cigarette use is linked to ~42% lower flow-mediated dilatation and reduced exercise capacity.
Why the study?
Acute E-cigarette use has shown adverse cardiorespiratory impacts similar to conventional cigarette smoking, but its early effects remained unclear.
Does E-cigarette use impair vascular function and cardiorespiratory responses to exercise in healthy young adults compared to never-smokers?
Cross-Sectional (n=75)
Single-blind
No
Does E-cigarette use impair vascular function and cardiorespiratory responses to exercise in healthy young adults compared to never-smokers?
E-cigarette use in healthy young adults is associated with early detrimental effects on vascular function and exercise capacity that are comparable to conventional cigarette smoking.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
May signal early vascular and exercise impairment in young users; hypothesis-generating and requires longitudinal studies before practice implications.
Background Acute electronic cigarette (E-cigarette) use has shown adverse cardiorespiratory impacts similar to conventional cigarette (C-cigarette) smoking; however, its early effects remain unclear. Objectives We aimed to examine the early effects of E-cigarette use on systemic vascular function, cardiorespiratory responses to exercise, and exertional symptoms in young adults. Methods 75 healthy active young adults (18–30 years), divided into three age- and sex-matched groups (E-cigarette users, C-cigarette smokers, never-smoker controls; n=25 each, E-cigarette use or smoking duration ≥18 months), underwent an incremental cycle exercise test with standard metabolic, cardiorespiratory, blood lactate and sensory measurements. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) was assessed using Doppler ultrasound. Blood samples were collected to assess vascular inflammatory markers. Results Cotinine (nicotine metabolite) levels were not different between E-cigarette users and C-cigarette smokers (80.7±33.0 versus 65.5±27.6 pg·ml −1 , p=0.2). At peak exercise, both E-cigarette users and C-cigarette smokers had lower exercise capacity, oxygen uptake, and ventilation compared to controls (182±31, 178±27 versus 219±43 watts; 35.1±6.4, 35.1±5.3 versus 41.2±5.9 mL·kg −1 ·min −1 ; 97.8±24.7, 98.9±21.6 versus 116.1±29.8 L·min −1 , respectively; all p<0.05). Furthermore, E-cigarette users and C-cigarette smokers demonstrated decreased exercise ventilatory efficiency, with higher ventilation, blood lactate, dyspnoea ratings, and leg discomfort during submaximal exercise compared to controls. E-cigarette users and C-cigarette smokers showed lower FMD compared to never-smokers (4.7±3.0, 4.5±2.9 versus 8.1±3.5%, p<0.05), which was inversely associated with vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and thrombospondin-2. Conclusion E-cigarette use and C-cigarette smoking were both associated with early detrimental effects on exercise capacity, ventilatory efficiency, systemic vascular function, and amplified exertional symptoms.
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Faisal et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy active young adults (n=75). E-cigarette use vs. Never-smoker controls was evaluated on Brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) (p=<0.05). E-cigarette use in healthy young adults was associated with lower brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation and reduced exercise capacity compared to never-smokers.
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