Increased risk of heart disease mortality associated with cannabis consumption, as revealed in a recent study
Get ready to roll up a fresh take on the relationship between marijuana use and cardiovascular health! As more states legalize pot, a new study published in the journal Heart has revealed a troubling link between cannabis consumption and a greater risk of heart disease, acute coronary syndrome, and strokes.
The research found that weed users are twice as likely to die from cardiovascular disease compared to non-smokers, and face a 29% higher risk of acute coronary syndrome. Strokes? Oh, a 20% higher risk for you! Yikes!
The study authors examined data from 24 studies published between 2016 and 2023, aiming to create a comprehensive report on the current state of cannabis users' cardiovascular health. They did acknowledge some study limitations, like imprecise dosage measurements.
With marijuana now legal in 24 states, the DEA is looking to reclassify the drug as a less dangerous substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Interestingly, daily pot-heads now outnumber daily drinkers, according to a Carnegie Mellon University report. This shift in preference is predominantly driven by the younger generation, with 69% of people aged 18 to 24 preferring marijuana to alcohol, according to a 2022 survey by New Frontier Data.
Health experts Dr. Lynn Silver of the Public Health Institute and Stanton Glantz, emeritus professor of UC San Francisco, caution that while the perception of risk around marijuana usage has decliined, the study results highlight substantial health risks. They suggest that marijuana should undergo similar regulations as tobacco, not outlawed but discouraged. The authors also want to see added protections for bystanders from secondhand marijuana exposure.
The study further calls for more research to determine if cardiovascular risks are limited to inhaled products or extend to other forms of cannabis exposure. Keep your eyes peeled for more on this developing story!
Sara MoniuszkoSara Moniuszko is a health and lifestyle journalist for ourNews.com. Previously, she covered wellness for USA Today and is now breaking and trending news for our News' HealthWatch.
Insights from Additional Research:
- Cannabis-Induced Vascular Damage: Recent studies have demonstrated that chronic marijuana use can lead to a 50% reduction in vascular function and harmful changes in blood serum affecting endothelial cells, which line blood vessels.
- Impaired Endothelial Function: The cardiovascular effects of cannabis use appear linked to impaired endothelial function, critical to maintaining vascular health.
- Mechanistic Insights and Considerations: While the harmful cardiovascular effects of cannabis may vary significantly between individuals and forms of use, they are likely mediated by impaired vascular and endothelial function and the constriction of large coronary vessels.
- Limitations and Recommendations: Most existing studies are observational, face issues such as imprecise cannabis exposure measurement, and cannot definitively establish causal relationships. However, caution is advised, especially among individuals with existing cardiovascular disease or risk factors. Smoking cannabis is particularly discouraged due to additional lung harm.
- Sara Moniuszko, a health and lifestyle journalist for ourNews.com, is investigating the relationship between marijuana use and cardiovascular health in her latest report for HealthWatch.
- The study has evidence that chronic marijuana use can lead to a 50% reduction in vascular function and harmful changes in blood serum affecting endothelial cells, which line blood vessels.
- The cardiovascular effects of cannabis use are linked to impaired endothelial function, a crucial factor in maintaining vascular health.
- With marijuana legalization and a growing preference among younger generations, health experts are urging caution and recommending similar regulations for marijuana as tobacco, not outlawed but discouraged.
- As more research is needed to determine if cardiovascular risks are limited to inhaled products or extend to other forms of cannabis exposure, it's essential to consider the long-term health implications of cannabis-induced vascular damage and impaired endothelial function.
