Recent studies have shown that consuming cannabis, whether through smoking, ingestion, or vaporization, could increase the likelihood of experiencing heart attacks and strokes. This assertion is supported by a study that was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association on Wednesday, indicating an elevated risk for cardiovascular issues among cannabis users, independent of their use of tobacco products or existing cardiovascular risk factors. The study highlights the importance of further research into the cardiovascular effects of cannabis.
Dr. Abra Jeffers, the lead author of the study and a data analyst at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, pointed out the growing misconception regarding the safety of cannabis use, especially smoking, which is the most common consumption method. This method can be particularly harmful due to the inhalation of particulate matter. Jeffers emphasized the necessity of recognizing the potential health risks associated with cannabis use.
The prevalence of marijuana use has seen a significant rise in the United States, with its recreational use now legalized in 24 states and the District of Columbia. A federal survey from 2019 revealed that over 48 million individuals aged 12 and older had used marijuana at least once, which is almost twice the number reported in 2002. Despite this increase at the state level,
the federal government still classifies marijuana use as illegal.
The connection between marijuana use and increased risks of heart attacks or strokes has not been thoroughly explored in the past due to various challenges, including the relatively low frequency of habitual marijuana smokers, the focus on younger demographics at lesser risk for cardiovascular diseases, and the common concurrent use of tobacco, which complicates the isolation of marijuana’s effects.
This recent study delved into survey data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 434,104 U.S. adults between 2016 and 2020, examining the correlation between cannabis consumption in the past 30 days and self-reported cardiovascular conditions such as coronary heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. The analysis also covered non-tobacco smokers and individuals below certain age thresholds who are considered at risk for heart disease.
The findings revealed that any level of marijuana use was associated with an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, with daily users facing the highest risk. Specifically, daily cannabis users had a 25% increased chance of suffering a heart attack and a 42% increased risk of stroke compared to non-users. The study confirmed that smoking is the most prevalent method of cannabis consumption.
Moreover, for men below 55 and women under 65, marijuana use led to a 36% higher likelihood of developing coronary heart disease, having a heart attack, or experiencing a stroke, even among those who had not used tobacco products or e-cigarettes.
Dr. Jeffers compared the dangers of cannabis smoke to those of tobacco smoke, emphasizing the significant cardiovascular risks associated with the former. She highlighted the critical need for awareness as cannabis use becomes more widespread and tobacco use declines.
Dr. Robert L. Page II, not involved in the study but who led a 2020 American Heart Association scientific statement on the cardiovascular impacts of marijuana, echoed the sentiment that these findings should serve as an urgent reminder for healthcare providers. He stressed the importance of discussing the potential cardiovascular risks of cannabis use with patients in a constructive and nonjudgmental manner. Page serves as a professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and emphasized the growing necessity for healthcare professionals to assess and address cannabis use during patient consultations.
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