Over 2 million marijuana adult users have heart problems
New Delhi : More than 2 million adults who have used marijuana have been diagnosed with the heart problems, claims a new study.
The observational studies have linked usage of marijuana to several cardiovascular risks, including stroke, arrhythmia and diseases that make it hard for the heart muscle to pump properly, said the researchers.
"Marijuana use, both recreational and medical, is increasing nationally yet many of its cardiovascular effects remain poorly understood," said lead author Ersilia M DeFilippis from Columbia University in the US.
"In our National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) query, we estimated that two million adults with marijuana use had cardiovascular disease in 2015-2016. Since that time, additional states have passed legislature related to marijuana so its use may have increased even further," DeFilippis added.
"Notably, many of our cardiology patients are on medications that can interact with marijuana in unpredictable ways depending on the formulation. This highlights that we need more data so that we can better counsel providers as well as patients," DeFilippis said.
The findings from the research have been published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
According to the study, the observers have estimated that around 2.3 per cent of the 89.6 million adults have heart problems due to the usage of marijuana.
They also describe observational studies that suggest a connection between marijuana and heart conditions, including the following:
Smoking-related cardiotoxicity: Many of the same cardiotoxic chemicals found in cigarettes are also found in marijuana smoke.
Coronary artery disease: Cannabis inhalation can increase heart rate and blood pressure and may be a trigger of a heart attack.
Arrhythmias: Marijuana use has been associated with abnormal heart rhythms, including atrial fibrillation.
Cerebrovascular disease: Surveys have found that marijuana smokers were three times more likely to experience a cerebrovascular event, such as a stroke.
