CARDIOVASCULAR REPERCUSSIONS RESULTING FROM THE USE OF ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES BY YOUNG ADULTS

Abstract

This integrative review aimed to investigate the relationship between the use of electronic cigarettes and the occurrence of cardiovascular outcomes in young adults. Initially, the analysis intended to include individuals aged 18 to 28; however, due to the scarcity of specific studies, it was necessary to expand the age range to 18 to 54 years.

The literature search was conducted using the PubMed, LILACS, and ScienceDirect databases, employing controlled descriptors and specific Boolean operators. After identifying 57 articles and removing duplicates, 11 studies were selected for full reading and analysis. The extracted data were organized in a comparative table including author, title, study type, exposure, analyzed outcome, and main findings. The methodological quality of observational studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS).

The analysis revealed that the use of electronic cigarettes is associated with significant adverse effects on cardiovascular health, including endothelial dysfunction, increased oxidative stress, arterial stiffness, autonomic nervous system alterations, and a higher predisposition to thrombogenicity. These findings highlight the need for further longitudinal studies to clarify long-term effects and the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.