By American Heart Association News
Using cannabis—whether through smoking, eating, or vaping—may increase the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes, according to new research.
Survey participants who reported cannabis use, or marijuana, showed a heightened risk for cardiovascular issues, regardless of tobacco use or other existing cardiovascular risk factors. This study was published on Wednesday in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
“Despite its widespread use, there is limited understanding of the risks associated with cannabis use, especially regarding cardiovascular disease,” said lead study author Dr. Abra Jeffers in a news release. Dr. Jeffers is a data analyst at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. “Perceptions around the dangers of smoking cannabis are diminishing, and many individuals do not see cannabis use as a health risk.”
Furthermore, she noted, “smoking cannabis—the main method of consumption—may introduce additional hazards due to the inhalation of particulate matter.”
The number of cannabis users in the U.S. has surged in recent decades, with recreational use legalized in 24 states and the District of Columbia. A federal survey in 2019 revealed that over 48 million individuals aged 12 and older reported using marijuana at least once, nearly double the figure from 2002. However, marijuana remains illegal at the federal level.
Previous research linking marijuana use to heart attacks and strokes has been limited due to various factors. The frequency of marijuana smoking is relatively low among the population, most studies have focused on younger individuals who are less likely to experience cardiovascular issues, and many marijuana users also consume tobacco, complicating the analysis of marijuana’s independent effects.
In the current study, researchers evaluated survey data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, involving 434,104 U.S. adults from 2016 to 2020. They examined whether the frequency of cannabis use over the past 30 days correlated with self-reported cardiovascular events, including coronary heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. This assessment was made among the general adult population as well as those who had never smoked tobacco or used e-cigarettes. Additionally, they analyzed these links among men under 55 and women under 65 who were at risk for heart disease.
Any level of marijuana use was connected to an increased risk for heart attacks and strokes, with the highest odds found in frequent users.
Adults who consumed marijuana daily had a 25% greater likelihood of having a heart attack and a 42% higher likelihood of experiencing a stroke compared to non-users. Smoking was the most prevalent method of cannabis consumption, followed by eating or vaping.
For men under 55 and women under 65, marijuana use was associated with a 36% higher combined risk for coronary heart disease, heart attack, or stroke, independent of tobacco product use. The odds remained elevated even among those who had never used tobacco or e-cigarettes.
“Cannabis smoke is quite similar to tobacco smoke, apart from the psychoactive component: THC versus nicotine,” Jeffers stated. “Our study indicates that smoking cannabis poses considerable cardiovascular risks, akin to those of smoking tobacco. This is crucial, particularly as cannabis use rises while traditional tobacco use declines.”
Dr. Robert L. Page II, who led the writing group for a 2020 American Heart Association scientific statement on the effects of marijuana on cardiovascular health, remarked that these new findings should serve as a “call to action for all practitioners” regarding “a potentially hazardous combination.” Dr. Page is a professor of clinical pharmacy, medicine, and physical medicine at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Aurora. He was not involved in this study.
“As cannabis use continues to expand in legality and accessibility across the U.S., healthcare providers must remember to inquire about cannabis usage during each patient visit, facilitating a nonjudgmental, collaborative discussion regarding potential cardiovascular risks and methods to mitigate those risks,” Page advised.
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American Heart Association News covers heart disease, stroke, and associated health concerns. Not all perspectives expressed in American Heart Association News stories represent the official stance of the American Heart Association. Statements, conclusions, accuracy, and reliability of studies published in American Heart Association scientific journals or presented at American Heart Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the official guidance, policies, or positions of the American Heart Association.
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