Marijuana and Heart Attacks: What New Research Reveals

marijuana for heart attacks

Over the past decade, the use of cannabis among the young population has increased. They indulge in the drug for recreational purposes, among other things; despite the drug being banned on a federal level.

Despite the strides being made by the science world we still know little about the risks involved in ingesting cannabis.

In the past, there had been several unfounded claims linking marijuana to heart attacks. A few years ago, a report stated that marijuana only had adverse effects on the heart and blood vessels—no benefit.

However, It has recently been discovered that at least 6% of patients suffering from heart attack below the age of 50 had previously used cannabis. While young cannabis users aged 18 – 44 had a higher chance of developing heart problems compared to their peers that do not.

Limited research has been done in relating marijuana to heart attacks. However, some investigations have connected the chemical compounds of cannabis—cannabinoids—to a risk for heart attack. But, very little is known about the way THC influences the cardiovascular system.

Right now would be the best time for more information on the effects of cannabis on the heart. Because cannabis is being legalized in various countries of the world and the public needs correct information to be sensitized.

This information would also neutralize the false claims that have been going around about the side effects of cannabis products on the user's health.

In this article, you would get to have an idea of what recent research has discovered about the use of cannabis and its impact on the user's cardiovascular health. This writeup would be based on just truths and not unproven claims.

A number of studies have traced heart problems to cannabis consumption. But more research is required to determine what form of cannabis usage is responsible for these problems.

Impacts of Marijuana on the Health

Health institutions in some countries have adopted the use of cannabis-based medications. It is used to treat patients with very serious symptoms that seem not to be reducing with conventional medical treatments.

Patients with chronic pain, chemo-induced nausea, seizures, and some mental disorders are often prescribed cannabis-based drugs.

With the recent linkage of increased heart problems to cannabis consumption, it is understandable that the public is agitated.

The Cardiovascular System and Cannabis Consumption

There are still several unknowns in this field, due to limited research.

Some say the biggest health risk to the heart and blood vessels stems from when cannabis products are smoked.

They say combustion in The body likely generates some harmful particles that hurt both the respiratory and the cardiovascular system of the user. Consuming cannabis by vaping, or eating edibles might be safer when compared to smoking.

The heart problems linked to marijuana use include:

Arrhythmias—heart rhythm disorder

Coronary artery disease

Stroke

Heart failure

Heart attacks, etc.

The issue right now is that several studies have pointed out a link between cardiovascular problems and cannabis consumption. But, none has proved the cause of this phenomenon.

Facts about Research on Cannabis Usage and Heart Problems

Fact 1: The level of risk is determined by how the cannabis is consumed

Marijuana raises the heart rate and increases the number of beats the heart makes in a minute. The Annals of Internal Medicine (AIM) published a study in 2019, where it was stated that edibles seem to have a higher risk of causing heart problems than vaping. More research is still needed to determine how true this is.

Cannabis users who have been previously diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases have a higher tendency of having a stroke, especially if they consume marijuana by smoking.

The delivery of cannabis has an impact on the heart. What is unknown is how much impact it has.

Fact 2: All the research carried different abstracts

A systematic review was carried out in 2018. The review was done on almost 30 studies whose case studies were about marijuana use and its impact.

Some of these research inferred that marijuana is beneficial to the metabolic functions of the body.

50% of the featured research focused on the cardiovascular risk factors that may arise from consistent marijuana use.

The rest of the featured research was insufficient and inconclusive. They had very little exposure and carried out some insufficient assessments.

However new studies are being done, and the recent legalization of marijuana in some states in the US and Canada will help scientists and associations alike. They would not be limited by the fear of being found with a drug of Schedule 1 status.

Older studies will be removed as better and improved research is being carried out about the distinct role marijuana plays when it is ingested into the human body.

Fact 3: More research can be carried out if marijuana is unlisted as a Schedule 1 drug on a federal level

Drugs listed as Schedule 1 are described as having no benefit medically and having a high potential to be abused.

A Lot of hands are tied on this. A lot of scientists have realized that the government might be blind to the fact that while marijuana may have a lot of risk factors, it could also have major benefits to the human body. Not to mention that despite the federal government clamping down on cannabis, the recreational use of THC is on the rise.

The American Heart Association( AHA) has prompted the Drug Enforcement Agency to review its stance on marijuana.

The association noted that there is a pinching need for modern policies that would facilitate better research on the impacts of marijuana on the heart.

Rather than ban the drug totally, the AHA recommended that there should be a recognized concentration of THC and CBD content level.

If the drug enforcement agency can adopt the proactive approach suggested by AHA, there would be comprehensive studies to improve on the multiple studies that have indicated the risk factors for heart problems. There would be different research based on the cannabis delivery device used.

This is the best way high-quality information about cannabis can be discovered.

Last Words

The AHA recommends that people with diagnosed heart problems stay away from cannabis. Either through vaping, edibles, or smoking it.

The earlier scientists are free to carry out more intense research on cannabis, the sooner the public would have access to information that clarifies the therapeutic usage of cannabis as well as its side effects on the heart.