Nicotine pouches are small, pre-portioned products that deliver nicotine without tobacco leaf. These pouches typically contain nicotine, plant-based fibers like eucalyptus or pine, flavorings, and sweeteners. Users place a pouch between their gum and lip, allowing nicotine to be absorbed into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes. A common concern is the potential for chest pain while using these products.
How Nicotine Pouches Can Affect Your Heart
Nicotine, the active ingredient, directly influences the cardiovascular system. When nicotine enters the bloodstream, it stimulates the release of chemicals like epinephrine and norepinephrine. This leads to an immediate increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
Nicotine also causes blood vessels to narrow, a process known as vasoconstriction. This narrowing affects coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. Increased heart rate, higher blood pressure, and constricted blood vessels force the heart to work harder. This increased workload demands more oxygen and blood flow to the heart.
For some individuals, especially those with existing or undiagnosed heart conditions, this increased strain can manifest as chest discomfort or pain. The symptoms may resemble angina, a type of chest pain from insufficient oxygen-rich blood to the heart. While nicotine pouches do not involve tobacco combustion, nicotine itself is responsible for these physiological changes.
Beyond Chest Pain: Other Side Effects
Beyond chest pain, nicotine pouches can cause other side effects, affecting the mouth and body. Continuous placement against the gums can lead to irritation, inflammation, and gum recession. This irritation may also cause white lesions, soreness, or blisters where the pouch is held.
Nicotine can also reduce saliva, contributing to dry mouth, which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. When gums recede, they can expose tooth roots, leading to increased sensitivity.
Systemic effects include nausea, particularly if too much nicotine is consumed or on an empty stomach. Users might also experience dizziness or lightheadedness from changes in blood flow, pressure, or a rapid heartbeat. Other systemic side effects include hiccups, headaches from blood vessel constriction, and difficulty sleeping due to nicotine’s interference with sleep.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Recognize when chest pain or other symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. If you experience sudden, severe, or persistent chest pain that doesn’t subside, seek emergency care. This is especially true if the pain spreads to your arm, neck, jaw, stomach, or back.
Additional concerning symptoms needing immediate medical evaluation include shortness of breath, excessive sweating, nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness, or chest pressure, squeezing, or tightness. If chest pain occurs alongside fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, or feels notably different or worse than previous episodes, contact emergency services. Always consult a healthcare professional about any new or concerning symptoms, particularly chest pain, and inform them about your nicotine pouch use.