Vaping may be perceived as a safer alternative to smoking cigarettesbut the heart tells a different story. Nicotine raises heart rate and blood pressure Chemicals in e cigarette aerosol can damage How E Cigarettes Affect Your Body E cigarettes containing nicotine raise blood pressure and heart rate The Pharmaceutical Journal The use of vapes and e cigarettes causes an immediate increase in blood pressure, heart rate, and blood vessel constriction. In the long run, this can cause an increased risk for heart disease.