Marijuana use as little as once per month linked to higher risk of heart attack and stroke

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New Study Links Occasional Marijuana Use to Increased Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke

 

A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital has shed light on the potential cardiovascular risks associated with marijuana use, even among individuals who do not smoke tobacco. Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the study reveals a concerning correlation between occasional marijuana consumption and heightened risks of heart attack and stroke.

 

Analyzing data from nearly 435,000 patients aged 18 to 74, researchers sought to investigate the relationship between marijuana use and cardiovascular health outcomes. The findings indicate that even infrequent use of marijuana, as little as once per month, is linked to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Alarmingly, the risks escalate with greater frequency of marijuana use, with daily users facing a 25% higher likelihood of heart attacks and a 42% increased risk of strokes compared to non-users.

 

Lead researcher Abra Jeffers emphasizes the significance of this study, which stands as one of the largest to explore the connection between marijuana consumption and cardiovascular health in non-tobacco users. The prevalence of marijuana consumption as the primary mode of intoxication among study participants underscores the urgency of addressing the potential risks associated with its use.

 

However, the study's findings raise important questions regarding causality and underlying mechanisms. While the observed dose-response relationship between marijuana use and cardiovascular events suggests a direct association, further research is needed to elucidate the precise biological pathways involved. Dr. Deepak Bhatt, Director of Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital, underscores the potential toxicity of cannabis, likening its impact to that of tobacco and alcohol consumption.

 

Concerns surrounding the cardiovascular risks of marijuana extend beyond smoking to other consumption methods, including edibles. While smoking may exacerbate the damage due to the inhalation of particulate matter, edibles pose their own risks, with THC—the psychoactive compound in marijuana—potentially inducing vascular inflammation. Laboratory studies suggest that THC can trigger oxidative stress and inflammation, contributing to blood vessel damage and increasing the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes.

 

Of particular concern are younger adults, where cannabis use has been significantly associated with a higher combined risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Dr. Bhatt highlights instances where young patients present with cardiovascular events, with marijuana being the only common factor among otherwise healthy individuals.

 

As marijuana use continues to gain popularity, particularly among younger demographics, the findings of this study underscore the importance of raising awareness about its potential health risks. While the legalization of marijuana may have normalized its use, it is essential to recognize that its safety remains a subject of ongoing research. Ultimately, individuals, particularly those with pre-existing heart conditions, are urged to exercise caution when considering marijuana consumption, prioritizing their cardiovascular health above all else.

 

01.03.24

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[herfiehandbag]

It cannot be.

'Tis an entirely benign and harmless substance.

All the people who use it say so...

[KhunLA]

If so, I would have died decades ago.   Smoking itself, yes, that will kill you, and definitely messes with your circulatory system.

 

Not sure if cigs & ganga have the same negative effect, but being realistic;

... smoke, cough, smoke, cough ... your body is telling you something 

 

Whether you listen or not ... well, som nam naa 

[James105]

Fascinating how something that humans have been using for 2500 years is only now linked to these medical conditions.  It could certainly go some way to explaining the increase in sudden adult deaths that healthy adults under 40 have been experiencing over the last few years.   I just cannot think of anything else (other than climate change of course) that could be responsible for this as the only other things humans have done differently have been things that are definitely and without question safe and effective.  

[bendejo]

That stuff is terrible, bad vibes!  Get rid of it before you get arrested.  Here, give it to me, I'll flush for you.

 

[impulse]

They don't seem to conclude which is the cause, and which is the result...

 

Maybe unhealthy people more likely to turn to mind altering substances?  Or the same phenomena that create poor health also increase the odds of using weed?

 

Of course, there's a "right" answer, but I don't trust the American health care system to tell us what it is.  Not with 4% of the world's population, more spending on health care than any other country (by far), and yet over 15% of the world's Covid deaths...