It’s a widely accepted fact that smoking raises your risk of heart attack and stroke, but when it comes to vaping, the science isn’t as developed. You might even be tempted to think that vaping is better for you than smoking—you’re not breathing in smoke, after all.

Unfortunately, a few recent studies have found that vaping can be just as harmful as smoking on the body. After all, nicotine, in any form, is a stimulant, and when coupled with the harmful additives found in vapes, can increase your heart rate, blood pressure, and overall stress on your circulatory system.

In one University of Wisconsin study , researchers looked at both smokers and vapers during exercise. Vape users had similar or even higher levels of heart stress than smokers. This doesn’t mean that vaping and smoking have the exact same effects, but the science is robust enough to show that vaping simply isn’t any better for you.

The bottom line? Vaping, smoking, and any unregulated nicotine product can harm your heart health.

Most people assume that cardiovascular issues only affect older people. But vaping causes significant strain on your heart at any age—regular users have a higher resting heart rate and elevated blood pressure. In practice, this means you might notice that physical activity feels tougher, or that you’re out of breath a little more often than you’d like. After vaping heavily, you might feel dizzy and nauseous, while your heart is beating a hundred miles an hour.

These symptoms occur because your heart is fighting harder to deliver the oxygen and nutrients your body needs. Even if you don’t have noticeable symptoms, your cardiovascular system is still working more than it needs to when you vape. And with time, that extra work adds up, leading to increased risk of coronary disease, heart attack, and stroke.

Another issue scientists are noticing? Vaping—both with or without nicotine—can lead to inflammation in the blood vessels. This inflammation can lead to a number of concerning conditions, including high blood pressure, stiff arteries, and potentially, heart failure.

Stiff, inflamed arteries can also make your heart beat faster to keep things running smoothly. For a stronger heart and healthier cardiovascular system, quitting is your best option.

Most vapes contain heavy metals and harsh chemicals that irritate not only your heart, but your entire circulatory system. Plus, once these chemicals enter your bloodstream, they cause oxidative stress on the entire body.

You might be tempted to use low-nicotine or no-nicotine vapes, something to reach for when a craving strikes. But even these “cleaner” vapes aren’t regulated, and your body still has to clean up the chemicals and metals found in the coil, aerosol, or fluid.

There are safer ways to keep your hands and mouth busy. Our NRT mints contain 2 or 4 mg of nicotine to keep cravings at bay, and help you stay vape-free. And you never have to worry about what mystery ingredients you’ll find inside.

The body is resilient and strong, and within hours of quitting, you’ll start reaping the benefits. In the first few days, your circulation will improve; after a few weeks, your hormones will return to balance; and after a month, your workouts will be significantly easier.

Here’s more on what you can expect after quitting:

You might be ready to give your heart a chance to heal, but you’re still feeling lost. It seems like every day there are new fads, trends, and tricks to quit for good. You might even be tempted to quit cold turkey (again), even if it hasn’t worked out in the past.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t stress. We’ve compiled a guide on how to quit vaping that can help you assess which approach works best for you. Because quitting is ultimately an individual journey. What matters is finding a path that you can stick to, even when the going gets rough.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you’re in this alone. The Jones app offers helpful insights, tips from real quitters, and even an AI Coach, Coach Jones, to help you get to the finish line. Just know that whatever you choose, we’re right there with you.

Nicotine often decreases testosterone while increasing cortisol, meaning you’re working overtime to achieve the same goals. Quitting boosts muscle production and general energy levels—two birds, one stone.

The improvements to your circulation, cardiovascular, and immune system make your body much, much more efficient during recovery. Muscle tissue repairs faster, which means less soreness and more efficient training sessions.