In recent years, the use of herbs among American adults has reached an all -time elevation. While many praise this drug as a safe, natural and even medical, growing body of evidence suggests that it contributes to adverse cardiovascular effects – including deadly heart disease.
A new study published in the newspaper Heart Tuesday, June 17th, presents new evidence showing that Marijuano uses doubles The risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. The researchers found especially higher risks of stroke and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) – a sudden reduction in blood flow to the heart, like a heart attack. While previous studies have linked cannabis to cardiovascular problems, this research underscores the severity of these risks. The authors note, however, that future studies will have to control this link and explore the mechanisms behind it.
The findings may be a shock to those who consider Weed a safe, but co -author Emilie Jouanjus, a clinical pharmacologist at the University of Toulouse in France, were not surprised. She studies the adverse health effects of Marijuuan for over a decade and hopes that this study will promote better decision -making around Marijuuan use.
“I think it’s very important that people realize that there is a risk, even if it is a natural product,” Jouanjus told Gizmodo. Over the last decade, increased state legislation has made Weed more accessible and less stigmatized, contributing to an increase in recreational and medical use. Jouanjus and her colleagues argue that public health messages have to deal with cannabis such as tobacco – not criminalizing it, but actively emphasizing their risks and discouraging use.
The researchers analyzed 24 studies, conducted between January 2016 and December 2023, which explored the link between Marijuuan use and major cardiovascular results. These studies involved about 200 million participants mostly between 19 and 59 years. They specifically looked at cardiovascular disease and non-killing results including stroke and ACS.
The analysis found that using cannabis increases the risk of ACS by 29%, a risk of stroke by 20%, and doubles the risk of dying due to cardiovascular disease. While the researchers say that their study gives a thorough analysis of the available data on marijuuan use and cardiovascular disease, Jouanjus noted that the inclusive studies were limited by lack of data about when and how participants were exposed to hemp.
This leaves several important questions not answered, for example, what dose cannabis become insecure? Are cardiovascular risks lower for occasional marine users? Is consumption of foods safer than smoking weed? Jouanjus hopes that future studies will explore these questions. Some researchers have already begun, such as Matt Springer, a cardiovascular researcher at the University of California San Francisco.
Springer co -authored a recent study, published in the newspaper Jama Cardiology In May, that found Both smoking grass and eating of food increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. The finding challenges extensive assumptions that edible are less harmful to consume Marijuan and underscores the alarming cardiovascular effects of the drug.
Like Jouanjus, Springer did not surprise the connection between the use of cannabis and the death of cardiovascular disease. “Here’s In accordance with several reports in recent years showing associations between cannabis use and various types of cardiovascular results, as well as another recent meta-analysis Reported at the [American College of Cardiology] A conference in March, “he told Gizmodo in an email. This study found that hemp users are facing a significantly higher risk of heart attack than non-users.
Springer’s latest study found that cannabis users showed reduced dilation of blood vessels, which puts them to a greater risk of heart attack and other poor cardiovascular results. Theoretically, this could contribute to the increased risk of death of a cardiovascular disease found by Jouanjus and her colleagues, he said, but researchers need more evidence to support that claim.
There are also other possible mechanisms. Jouanjus alerted to previous investigations that Found This, like tobacco, hemp contributes to building plaque within arterial walls. This increases the risk of heart attack, outline and peripheral arterial disease. She also emphasized that the psychoactive compound in Marijuuan – tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – is much more concentrated in cannabis products today than those of 20 years ago. This can also contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular death, which she observed in her study.
While all of these factors could splashing the cardiovascular effects of Weed, arriving at the bottom of why this drug damages heart health will require more research. In the meantime, Jouanjus feels that there is enough evidence to guarantee caution and moderation when using Marijuan. The public knows the benefits of hemp, but she hopes that her study can also draw attention to its risks.
Springer agrees, “These reports over the last few years, including ours and this paper, indicates that cannabis is not necessarily harmless,” he said.
