Cannabis use disorder is linked to a higher risk of heart problems
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People who have cannabis use disorder may have a higher risk of experiencing a heart attack, stroke, or other major cardiovascular conditions, indicating that frequent marijuana use could potentially harm the heart.
A study conducted by Anees Bahji and colleagues from the University of Calgary in Canada examined the health records of 59,528 individuals living in Canada. Half of the participants had been diagnosed with cannabis use disorder (continuing to use marijuana despite its negative impact on their life) between January 2012 and December 2019. The researchers then monitored the occurrence of heart attacks, strokes, and other major cardiovascular conditions among the participants during this period.
After taking into account factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status, the researchers discovered that people with cannabis use disorder had an almost 60% higher risk of subsequently developing a cardiovascular condition compared to those without the disorder. The risk was found to increase with the severity of the disorder. For example, individuals who sought treatment for cannabis dependence five or more times were over twice as likely to develop heart or vascular problems compared to those without cannabis use disorder.
Although the exact mechanisms behind this association are unclear, these findings suggest that frequent cannabis use may have detrimental effects on heart health. According to Bahji, this could be due to compounds like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) present in the drug binding to receptors in the body, which can elevate heart rate, lower blood pressure, and affect blood clotting.
In recent years, cannabis use has been on the rise, particularly among young individuals. However, this study focused only on those with cannabis use disorder and did not include occasional marijuana users. Jennifer Bailey, from the University of Washington, suggests that future studies should investigate the relationship between lower levels and shorter durations of cannabis use and heart health. The research should also examine whether different cannabis products have varying effects on heart health.
The science of cannabis
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