Recent findings from a study highlighted by the New York Post shed light on a concerning association between frequent cannabis use and an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease among women. The study, conducted in France and involving a sizable cohort of nearly 122,000 British participants, revealed significant insights into the potential health implications of heavy cannabis consumption, particularly in relation to heart health. Let’s delve into the key takeaways and implications of this study:

Study Overview

The study categorised participants based on their lifetime marijuana habits, distinguishing between low users, moderate users, and heavy users of cannabis. Notably, heavy cannabis users exhibited distinct demographic and lifestyle characteristics, including younger age, higher tobacco use, and lower levels of alcohol consumption, hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, education, and income.

Cardiovascular Risks for Women

Over a 13-year follow-up period, the study recorded a substantial number of deaths, with a significant portion attributed to cardiovascular disease. The research identified a strong correlation between heavy cannabis use and death from cardiovascular issues among women in the study cohort, particularly those who were current tobacco users. Interestingly, this link was not observed among men within the same study population.

Researchers theorised that certain compounds found in cannabis may contribute to inflammation, arterial narrowing, and hardening, culminating in cardiovascular complications for heavy users, especially women. Additionally, increased exposure to carbon monoxide through marijuana smoking was identified as a potential contributing factor to the observed cardiovascular risks associated with heavy cannabis use.

Given the limitations of the study, such as reliance on self-reported cannabis use without biochemical verification, the authors emphasised the need for additional research in this area. They underscored the importance of exploring the precise mechanisms through which cannabis use may impact cardiovascular health, urging for more comprehensive studies to validate and expand upon the findings presented in their research.

Source: New York Post