A new analysis finds devices used for vaping and the heart implants known as cardioverter-defibrillators should not be kept close together.

Published in HeartRhythm Case Reports, the study focused on a patient who had an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) that began beeping whenever he would store his e-cigarette in his left breast pocket.

Some e-cigarettes, including the Juul brand, contain magnetic components that hold the device to the charger, which is connected to an electrical outlet through a USB port.

The patient, 48 years old, was told that the e-cigarette device should not be stored in his chest pocket so close to his heart.

“Magnets are ubiquitous in commercially available electronic devices,” said author Julie B. Shea, MS, Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, and fellow researchers. “The general recommendation is that any portable electronic devices or magnetic sources should be maintained at least six inches away from any implanted device; higher-grade systems such as engines, electric fences and high-voltage power lines require a larger distance to ensure reliable device function.”

The man did not suffer any bad side effects from having the device in his pocket, but the study’s authors said that a magnet so close to the medical implant could cause an accidental temporary programming or heart rhythm complications. An ICD or a pacemaker are both susceptible to magnetic interference, which the researchers said could prove fatal if the patient was experiencing a tachycardia (extremely fast heartbeat) episode at the same time.

Juul said that the magnets at the base of the device are designed to hold it securely in the USB charging dock, which is also equipped with a magnet. Juul also said the company is aware that when the charger is connected to a laptop, the Juul can interfere with a magnet inside the laptop that can cause the computer to go into sleep mode. Juul denies the magnet can damage the computer, but recommends using a different USB port. The Juul magnets should not come into contact with the magnetic strips on credit cards or key cards.

Side Effects of Vaping and the Heart

Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling an aerosol that contains nicotine and a number of toxic chemicals and flavorings.

“Many of these particles contain varying amounts of toxic chemicals which have been linked to heart and respiratory diseases and cancer,” according to the American Heart Association.

Nicotine is the addictive substance also found in regular cigarettes. Nicotine is especially dangerous among young people under the age of 25 because their brains are still developing. Becoming addicted to nicotine at such a young age can lead to addictions of other substances later in life.

The U.S. Surgeon General also warns that every time a person’s brain creates a memory or learns a new skill, stronger connections build from one brain cell to another. The connections are called synapses, and children’s brains have accelerated development of these synapses. Scientists have found that addiction is a form of learning, and because a youth’s brain can learn with better speed and ease compared to that of adults, adolescents become more easily addicted to substances such as nicotine.

Nicotine plays a major part in vaping and the heart impacts that e-cigarettes have. The addictive chemical can cause high blood pressure, increased heart rate, an increased flow of blood to the heart and narrowing of the arteries. The American Heart Association says nicotine also may be a contributing factor to hardening of the arteries, a major cause of heart attacks.

Many e-cigarettes, particularly the popular Juul brand, contain more nicotine in one Juul pod than is found in an entire pack of regular cigarettes.

According to the Surgeon General, at least one-fourth of U.S. youth and young adults have tried e-cigarettes. Despite efforts in recent months to limit sweet and savory flavors of e-cigarette vaping juices, many of today’s youth find the addiction to e-cigarettes too great to overcome.

Even though youth are not legally able to purchase e-cigarette vaping juices or devices, they seem to have no problem getting a hold of these items. In some cases, unscrupulous store clerks sell e-cigarette items without even asking for an I.D.

In other cases, teens and even preteens will steal parts of vaping devices where they can and put together their own Frankenstein monster vaping device. This isn’t hard to do, especially with the Juul devices, because they look a lot like a USB drive and the chargers are even smaller.