A new study reveals that cannabis users under the age of 50 are six times more likely to have a heart attack and twice as likely to experience heart failure. This research, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, tracked 75 million participants from the United States, Canada, and India over a three-year period.
In addition to heart attacks, the study found that this age group is also 4.3 times more likely to have a stroke. Importantly, participants began the study with no major heart issues, maintaining healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and no history of diabetes, tobacco use, or coronary artery disease. Regular cannabis users showed a significantly heightened risk of cardiovascular events.
The study is the result of a comprehensive analysis that included data from 12 different studies. Dr. Ibrahim Kamel, the lead author and a clinical instructor at Boston University’s Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, emphasized that the research did not account for the quantity or duration of cannabis use among participants. He recommended that questions about cannabis use be included in routine cardiovascular risk assessments by healthcare providers.
Dr. Kamel noted, “Asking about cannabis use should be part of clinicians’ workup to understand patients’ overall cardiovascular risk, similar to asking about smoking cigarettes.”
Despite these alarming findings, the exact impact of marijuana on the cardiovascular system remains unclear. While researchers are aware that marijuana can increase heart rate and blood pressure, the study lacked data to differentiate the risks associated with inhaled versus ingested cannabis.
Currently, cannabis remains illegal at the federal level in the United States, although 39 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized it for medical use. Furthermore, 24 states have approved cannabis for recreational purposes, indicating a growing acceptance of marijuana even amidst ongoing health concerns.
