Recent, yet-to-be-published studies, unveiled at the American Heart Association (AHA) 2023 scientific sessions in Philadelphia, have spotlighted the potential dangers of marijuana use on heart health.
This revelation comes as researchers delve into the cardiovascular effects of cannabis, presenting crucial findings that shed light on the risks associated with marijuana consumption.
Marijuana, known colloquially as weed or cannabis, is a psychoactive drug containing various chemicals, including Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary mind-altering compound responsible for its intoxicating effects.
The two studies in question specifically excluded cannabis users who also smoke tobacco, allowing a focused examination of the cardiovascular impact of marijuana consumption.
The first study unearthed a concerning correlation between regular marijuana use and an elevated risk of heart attack and stroke during hospitalization. Shockingly, daily marijuana users faced a 34% higher likelihood of developing heart failure. Importantly, this risk remained consistent across age, gender, and smoking history.
In a parallel investigation, the second study honed in on older individuals with a combination of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol who also used marijuana.
The findings were alarming, indicating a significant increase in the risk of major acute heart or brain events during hospitalization compared to non-marijuana users with similar health conditions.
Leveraging health data from 157,000 individuals in the National Institutes of Health research program, the experts scrutinized whether marijuana users were more prone to heart failure over nearly four years.
Professor Robert Page II, from the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, emphasized the emerging evidence from observational data that suggests cannabis use, be it recreational or medicinal, may contribute to cardiovascular disease.
One noteworthy aspect highlighted in the research is the impact of smoking and inhaling marijuana on blood carboxyhemoglobin concentrations (carbon monoxide) and tar.
These effects mirror those associated with inhaling tobacco cigarettes and have been linked to heart muscle disease, chest pain, heart rhythm disturbances, heart attacks, and other serious conditions.
Page stressed the importance of treating marijuana use as a significant risk factor for heart disease and stroke, urging individuals to comprehend the risks involved.
Avilash Mondal, the lead study author and a resident physician at Nazareth Hospital in Philadelphia, emphasized the uniqueness of their study. By excluding tobacco users, the study could specifically examine cannabis use and its distinct cardiovascular outcomes.
These revelations add a new layer to the ongoing discourse surrounding marijuana use, raising awareness about its potential impact on heart health.
As the scientific community delves deeper into the intricate relationship between cannabis and cardiovascular risks, these studies underscore the need for a comprehensive understanding of the health implications associated with marijuana consumption.
