The Serious Link Between Cannabis Use and Heart Attacks

Recent studies have revealed alarming data about cannabis use and heart health risks. For individuals under 50, cannabis users are more than six times as likely to suffer a heart attack compared to non-users. This raises important concerns for millions of people, especially since 1 in 5 adults report using cannabis.

Dr Ibrahim Kamel, lead author of these studies, emphasises that discussing cannabis use should be an integral part of assessing a person’s cardiovascular risks. Heart health issues linked to cannabis go beyond heart attacks. Researchers found that cannabis users were also four times more likely to experience a stroke and twice as likely to face heart failure.

Unpacking the Findings on Marijuana Cardiovascular Dangers

One major study involved 4.6 million adults under 50 and showed a clear pattern of increased heart risk among cannabis users. Over an average follow-up period of three years, these users not only displayed higher incidences of heart attacks but were also less likely to survive them.

Additionally, a separate meta-analysis involving over 75 million people confirmed that current cannabis users have a 1.5 times greater likelihood of suffering a heart attack than non-users. This builds on consistent evidence from multiple studies while bringing attention to the potentially fatal effects of marijuana.

While the biological reasons behind these risks are not fully understood, experts point to potential changes in heart rhythm, increased heart muscle oxygen demand, and difficulty in blood flow due to blood vessel constriction as contributing factors. Interestingly, one study noted that heart attack risk peaked about one hour after cannabis consumption.

A Wake-Up Call for Healthier Decisions

The rising prevalence of cannabis use, combined with its normalisation, calls for increased awareness of its potential dangers. These findings stress the importance of making informed decisions about substances that could have serious health consequences. Heart attacks and strokes change lives, and when they affect young and healthy individuals, they clearly emphasise the need to stay vigilant about lifestyle choices.

Source: WebMd