Mocobizscene – A new study has found that the use of cannabis, whether through smoking, eating, or vaporizing, is linked to an increased risk of experiencing negative cardiovascular events.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association reveals that the use of cannabis, in any form, is linked to an increased risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. The study further highlights that the risk of these negative outcomes becomes even greater with heavier cannabis use.
The study found that daily cannabis users had a 25% higher risk of a heart attack compared to non-users. Additionally, the odds of experiencing a stroke were 42% higher for daily cannabis users.
According to Abra Jeffers, a data analyst at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, there is limited knowledge about the potential cardiovascular risks associated with cannabis use. Despite its widespread use, people tend to underestimate the harm it may pose to their health. Previous studies have indicated a possible link between cannabis and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, the inhalation of particulate matter through smoking, which is the most common method of cannabis consumption, may present additional risks. It is crucial to further explore the potential health implications of cannabis use, particularly in relation to cardiovascular health.
The researchers conducted a cross-sectional study using survey data from 430,000 adults in the U.S. between 2016 and 2020. The participants were aged 18 to 74. By controlling for other cardiovascular risk factors and tobacco use, the data revealed that the association remained consistent, even among individuals who never smoked tobacco.
According to Jeffers, our study had a sufficient sample size to examine the link between cannabis use and cardiovascular outcomes in individuals who had never used tobacco cigarettes or e-cigarettes. He emphasized that while cannabis smoke and tobacco smoke are similar in many ways, the main difference lies in the psychoactive substances involved: THC in cannabis versus nicotine in tobacco. The findings of our study demonstrate that smoking cannabis carries significant cardiovascular risks, similar to smoking tobacco. This is especially noteworthy considering the rising trend of cannabis use and the declining popularity of conventional tobacco consumption.
The study, although it had limitations, such as relying on self-reported heart conditions and cannabis use, highlights the need for further research that can track individuals over an extended period of time.
According to a release, Robert L. Page, a professor at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Colorado Scho ol of Medicine, stated that the study contributes to the increasing body of evidence suggesting that the combination of cannabis use and cardiovascular disease could pose potential risks.
Page, who was not involved in the study, emphasized that the findings should serve as a “call to action for all practitioners.”
