The mice in the study were exposed to sessions of vapor twice daily, from a top-selling brand of e-cigarette liquid over five days, according to the American Heart Association. A second control group of mice was exposed only to clean air. Mice exposed to the vapors developed hyperactive platelets, which resulted in the formation of blood clots. If blood clots travel to the heart or brain, they could cause a heart attack or stroke.
Many e-cigarettes deliver a high concentration of addictive nicotine in a liquid form, despite not having tobacco. However, e-cigarette liquids vary in strength.
Dr. Neal Benowitz, a tobacco researcher who was not involved in the study, said the results raise concerns about how e-cigarettes could harmfully impact the blood clotting process in people. He added that mice do not inhale the same way as people do, so additional studies would be needed to answer that question.
“The real question is the relevance for people. It’s a really important question that has to be investigated in people…using these devices in ways they’re actually used,” Benowitz told the AHA.
