Cannabis Use Linked to Increased Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke
In a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, researchers have found a concerning link between cannabis use and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Whether smoked, eaten, or vaporized, cannabis use has been associated with a higher risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. The study reveals that heavier cannabis use is correlated with even higher odds of negative cardiovascular events.
Lead author Abra Jeffers, a data analyst at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, expressed the need for further research on the risks of cannabis use, particularly regarding cardiovascular diseases. Jeffers stated, “The perceptions of the harmfulness of smoking cannabis are decreasing, and people have not considered cannabis use dangerous to their health. However, previous research suggested that cannabis could be associated with cardiovascular disease.”
The cross-sectional study utilized survey data from 430,000 adults in the United States between 2016 and 2020. Participants ranged from 18 to 74 years old, and the data allowed researchers to control for other cardiovascular risk factors and tobacco use. Surprisingly, the association between cannabis use and adverse cardiovascular outcomes held true even among individuals who had never used tobacco cigarettes or e-cigarettes.
Jeffers emphasized the significance of the study’s findings by comparing the risks of smoking cannabis to smoking tobacco. She stated, “Cannabis smoke is not all that different from tobacco smoke, except for the psychoactive drug: THC vs. nicotine. Our study shows that smoking cannabis has significant cardiovascular risks, just like smoking tobacco.”
The increasing popularity of cannabis use makes these findings even more critical. As conventional tobacco use declines, cannabis use is on the rise. Therefore, it is crucial for individuals to be aware of the potential hazards associated with cannabis use and cardiovascular disease.
Although this study had some limitations, such as self-reported heart conditions and cannabis use, researchers are calling for further research that follows groups of individuals over time. By doing so, they hope to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the long-term effects of cannabis use on cardiovascular health.
Robert L. Page, a professor at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, who was not involved in the study, commented on the significance of these findings. He stated, “This study adds to the growing literature that cannabis use and cardiovascular disease may be a potentially hazardous combination.” Page believes that these findings should serve as a call to action for all practitioners.
As cannabis use becomes more prevalent and socially accepted, it is crucial for individuals to be informed about the potential risks associated with its use. This study sheds light on the concerning link between cannabis use and adverse cardiovascular outcomes, emphasizing the need for further research and awareness in this area.
