The Rising Concern: Cannabis Use Linked to Adverse Heart Conditions

Recent findings from a rigorous scientific study have revealed a concerning association between cannabis use and cardiovascular complications in American adults. The research conducted by Abra M. Jeffers, PhD, Stanton Glantz, PhD, Amy L. Byers, PhD, MPH, and Salomeh Keyhani, MD, MPH, delves into the possible connections between cannabis consumption and heart health issues, such as coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction (heart attack), and stroke.

This pioneering study utilized data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey spanning from 2016 to 2020 and involving 27 U.S. states and two territories. Examining responses from 434,104 individuals aged 18 to 74, researchers gleaned insights into cannabis use patterns and self-reported cardiovascular outcomes. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) highlighted a consistently greater risk of heart conditions associated with frequent cannabis use, signaling a potential public health concern.

Key findings include the discovery that daily cannabis users had a 25% increased likelihood of a myocardial infarction and a starkly high 42% increased risk of stroke. Even more alarming, among those who had never smoked tobacco, daily cannabis use was linked to a near 50% higher risk of heart attack and more than double the risk of stroke. These associations persisted when adjusted for other lifestyle and health factors in adults who had never used tobacco cigarettes or e-cigarettes.

The study also sheds light on rising cannabis use in the U.S. population, emphasizing that between 2002 and 2019, past-year adult cannabis use escalated from 10.4% to 18%, with daily or almost daily use jumping from 1.3% to 3.9%. Interestingly, the perception of cannabis harm declined during the same period.

These deeply insightful results demonstrate that cannabis consumption is tied to adverse cardiovascular outcomes, intensifying as usage increases. The research team suggests that cannabis might be a significant yet unrecognized risk factor in the onset of preventable cardiovascular-related deaths, given that cardiovascular illness remains the top cause of mortality.

On a clinical level, this study emphasizes the importance of screening patients for cannabis use and the potential benefits of advising against smoking cannabis, particularly for those at risk of premature cardiovascular diseases. It is paramount for the public, clinicians, and policymakers to be informed about these findings to make informed decisions about cannabis use.

The full report is accessible at http://ahajournals.org. This article was built with the help of Buoy Health.

Article Link: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/JAHA.123.030178

Note: For further information related to cannabis use and its impact on heart health, please refer to the complete study and its detailed findings in the Journal of the American Heart Association.