Marijuana and Heart Health: Here Is What Issues It Can Cause
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While drug usage has been a major point of discussion for both health enthusiasts and the government, new studies want to show the harm that regular marijuana dosages can actually cause. Two recent studies have been revealed to the public. They share one point of discussion which is marijuana and heart health. We are aware of some of the harm marijuana can cause. But, what have the new studies discovered?
Recent Marijuana and Heart Health Studies
Two recent studies presented by the American Heart Association show the heart health risks cannabis may cause. They indicate that regular recreational marijuana use can have adverse effects on the heart and brain. The studies were shared at the 2023 Scientific Sessions event in Philadelphia. They revealed that frequent marijuana users face an increased risk of heart attack and stroke during hospitalization. Additionally, daily marijuana users were found to be 34% more likely to develop heart failure, according to the presented findings.
The First Study
In the initial study, a group of 156,999 people without pre-existing signs of heart failure was monitored for nearly four years. Over this period, approximately 2% of participants (2,958 people) developed heart failure. Notably, those who engaged in daily marijuana use exhibited a 34% increased risk of developing heart failure compared to individuals who reported never using marijuana. Strikingly, factors such as age, gender, and smoking history did not seem to influence this heightened risk.
Moreover, the investigation delved into the role of coronary artery disease in this relationship. When considering the presence of coronary artery disease, the risk of heart failure diminished from 34% to 27%. This observation suggests that coronary artery disease could be a pathway through which daily marijuana use may lead to an elevated risk of heart failure. The findings emphasize a potential connection between regular marijuana consumption and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. It could shed light on the intricate interplay between cannabis use and heart health.
The Second Study
In the second study, a cohort of 28,535 marijuana users with pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors were examined. This included conditions such as high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. The data utilized for this investigation was derived from the 2019 National Inpatient Sample. It focused specifically on the health records of adults aged 65 and older. The adults who had cardiovascular risk factors reported no tobacco use was a priority.
The study’s results unveiled that approximately 20% of the participants, totaling around 5,710 individuals, exhibited an increased likelihood of experiencing a major heart or brain “event” during their hospitalization. Furthermore, an additional 13.9% of participants, approximately 3,970 individuals, with cardiovascular risk factors suffered a “major adverse heart and brain event” while being hospitalized.
Marijuana and Heart Health: Who Is More at Risk?
People with cardiovascular risk factors who engaged in daily marijuana use exhibited a higher incidence of heart attacks. This had a rate of 7.6% compared to 6% among non-users. Notably, high blood pressure (defined as any reading exceeding 130/80 mm Hg) and high cholesterol emerged as predictive factors as well. This was for major adverse heart and brain events in those using marijuana.
Dr. Avilash Mondal, the lead study author and a resident physician at Nazareth Hospital in Philadelphia, highlighted the uniqueness of their research. Excluding tobacco users allowed them to specifically focus on the relationship between cannabis use and cardiovascular outcomes. This allowed them to consider that cannabis and tobacco are often used together. In addition to the American Heart Association studies, a 2023 study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that daily marijuana use could elevate the risk of coronary artery disease by one-third when compared to non-users. These combined findings underscore the importance of understanding the distinct impact of cannabis use on cardiovascular health.
It is important to take into consideration what harm something we use can cause, that is what researchers are consistently trying to prove. So, do you agree with them?
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