E-cigarettes cause equal heart health risks as tobacco cigarettes, study suggests.

ISLAMABAD -- When it comes to heart health, e-cigarettes might no longer be the safer alternative over combustible cigarettes, according to a new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

"Many people believe e-cigarettes are safer than combustible cigarettes. In fact, most e-cigarette users say the primary reason they use e-cigarettes is that they think e-cigarettes pose less of a health risk," according to the study author Jessica L. Fetterman, Ph.D., assistant professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine, Boston.

"Meanwhile, the evidence from scientific studies is growing that e-cigarettes might not be a safer alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes when it comes to heart health. Our study adds to that evidence," Fetterman added.

The researchers found that former smokers who switched to e-cigarettes and dual users had an augmentation index similar to traditional cigarette users, which means that their arteries were just as stiff, Medical Daily reported.

Stiffening of the arteries can cause damage to the small blood vessels, including capillaries, and puts additional stress on the heart, all of which can...