Two new reviews summarize how e cigs adversely affect the cardiovascular system Stanton Glantz blog Heated tobacco and cigarettes cause the same gut and vascular damage, study finds Smoking affects the heart long before symptoms appear. Each cigarette delivers chemicals that enter the bloodstream within seconds, reaching the heart and blood vessels almost immediately. These substances damage the inner lining 1. I quit cigarettes by switching to vaping so now Im protecting my heart and lungs. , Switching isnt quitting. Its just a different delivery system. Vaping still stresses your heart and blood