Though he never smoked cigarettes, he vaped regularly. His lungs were scarred and he struggled to breathe even after recovery.

Vapes contain nicotine and harmful chemicals. These enter the bloodstream, raise adrenaline levels, and stress the heart.

Vaping reduces nitric oxide in blood vessels, making them stiff and narrow. It can also cause irregular heartbeats and increase stroke risk.

Studies show vaping alone, without any smoking, raises the risk of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and poor blood circulation.

Vapers often do poorly in exercise stress tests. That’s because their hearts struggle to handle physical strain, even in youth.

Vaping isn’t harmless. If you vape or plan to quit, talk to a heart or lung specialist to protect your health before damage sets in.