Give your heart a break: How quitting vaping boosts heart health

Why quitting is the ultimate glow-up for your cardiovascular health (which is like, actually super important btw)

If you’re ditching the vape, congrats—you’re already doing your heart a huge favor. Vaping doesn’t just mess with your lungs; it puts your heart through the wringer, too. But here’s the good news: once you quit, your heart starts bouncing back almost immediately. Let’s break it down and give you some tips to help your heart heal even faster.

What vaping does to your heart 

When you vape, nicotine causes chaos in your cardiovascular system. How, exactly?

  1. Heart rate spikes. Nicotine makes your heart work overtime, even when you’re just relaxing.

  2. Blood pressure rises. It tightens your blood vessels, making it harder for blood to flow.

  3. Inflammation goes up. This damages your arteries over time, increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke.

So yeah, vaping might feel like no big deal now, but your heart’s working harder than it should, and that’s not sustainable long-term.

How quitting saves your heart

The moment you put down the vape, your body starts healing. Here’s what to expect:

20 minutes in
Your heart rate drops back to a normal level. Phew! Your heart just took a big sigh of relief.

24 hours in
Blood pressure starts to normalize, reducing strain on your arteries.

2 weeks to 3 months
Your blood circulation improves. This means better oxygen flow, more energy, and a lower chance of clots.

1 year
Your risk of heart disease is cut in half compared to when you were vaping. That’s huge!

Tips to boost your heart health after quitting 

Quitting vaping is a huge step, but you can do even more to help your heart heal. Here’s how:

1. Move your body (in a fun way!) 

You don’t have to hit the gym hardcore; just find something you enjoy. Dancing, biking, or walking your dog all count. Exercise strengthens your heart and helps your blood vessels recover faster.

2. Snack smart

Swap out processed junk for heart-friendly foods like:

  • Leafy greens (spinach, kale)

  • Fruits (berries, apples)

  • Healthy fats (avocados, nuts, salmon)

3. De-stress daily

Vaping might’ve been your stress-relief go-to, but there are better (and healthier) ways to chill.

  • Try deep breathing or meditation apps.

  • Pick up a calming hobby like journaling or painting (adult coloring books are actually super relaxing as well).

  • Call a friend and laugh (or cry) it out.

  • Do some yoga in the morning or evening while listening to peaceful music.

  • Watch an episode of a funny (non-stressful) tv show or re-watch your favorite movie for the millionth time.

4. Drink water, like a lot 

Staying hydrated helps your blood flow smoothly and keeps your whole body—including your heart—happy.

5. Celebrate your wins

Every day you’re vape-free is a win for your heart. Treat yourself (not with vaping because that is not actually treating yourself)! Give yourself a spa day, eat your favorite ice cream, or reward yourself with something fun.

The Bottom Line

Quitting vaping is one of the best things you can do for your heart—and your entire body. The changes might feel small at first, but over time, your heart will be stronger, healthier, and in improved condition to keep you thriving.

Remember, every heartbeat you protect is worth it. Ready to quit vaping for good? Download the Escape the Vape app (iOS | Android)  today and get the tools you need to stay on track.


Ready to Escape the Vape?

Join our community of over 125K quitters! Track your progress, see your health improve, and get the motivation and support you deserve. You got this!


Let’s quit this sh*t

Mia Davis

Mia is the founder behind this site! She is also the host of your favorite new podcast, Asking for Myself. She is passionate about empowering people with the information they need (and deserve) to live their best lives. She is also determined to help sexuality and mental health professionals scale their knowledge and reach more people in need. Her background is in product design and she may or may not watch a little too much reality TV. If you’re a Housewives fan, you’ll be sure to get along…

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