[메디컬투데이=한지혁 기자] A variety of drugs, including cannabis, have been shown to increase the risk of atrial fibrillation.
A study on the effects of drug use on the risk of developing atrial fibrillation, a type of arrhythmia, was published in European Heart Journa.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), there are 2.7 million Americans diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation can cause a variety of cardiovascular diseases, including thrombosis, stroke, and heart failure.
Symptoms of atrial fibrillation can vary. It can be completely asymptomatic or you may experience a slightly irregular heartbeat and, in severe cases, it can cause palpitations, shortness of breath and chest pain.
There are many risk factors for atrial fibrillation. Some factors, such as aging and family history, cannot be controlled, but factors such as hypertension, smoking and alcohol consumption can be controlled through lifestyle changes.
In this study, the researchers collected data from 23,561,884 people who visited a hospital in California from January 2005 to December 2015 to analyze the effects of narcotics such as methamphetamine, opium and cocaine on the onset of atrial fibrillation.
Of these, 98,271 were methamphetamines, 48,701 cocaine, 1032 opioids, and 132,834 marijuana users. In the study, 42% of the participants, or 999,747, were recently diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.
After adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors, the researchers found that methamphetamines, opiates, cocaine and cannabis increased the risk of atrial fibrillation by 86%, 74%, 61% and 35%, respectively.
Narcotic studies generally rely on self-reporting, so there is a limitation in the fact that accurate statistics cannot be obtained. This study improved the reliability of the analysis by obtaining accurate data from medical records.
Experts noted that the study reveals the dangers of marijuana and other narcotics and the serious public health problems it can cause.
In response to the question of how drugs that work by different mechanisms commonly increase the risk of atrial fibrillation, the researchers noted that two mechanisms may be at work: autonomic nervous system dysfunction and cardiac conduction system degeneration.
They argue that more studies will be needed to determine whether these changes that can be caused by drug use are immediate or require chronic and repeated use.
Additionally, they noted that controlling for confounding factors and reducing bias in study results through a study design that includes prior intervention could help to derive more accurate results.
Medical Today reporter Han Ji-hyuk ([email protected])
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