It shouldn’t be used for recreational use.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association sheds light on the significant correlation between cannabis use and an elevated risk of stroke and heart attack, even among individuals who abstain from tobacco consumption.
Conducted by researchers who analyzed data from an annual survey encompassing 430,000 adults in the United States spanning from 2016 to 2020, the findings underscored alarming trends. The predominant mode of cannabis consumption among the surveyed population was smoking, followed by ingestion and vaporization.
The study revealed that the combined risk of stroke, heart attack, and coronary heart disease surged in a manner akin to that observed among adults who had never used e-cigarettes but did engage in cannabis use. This trend is particularly concerning given the substantial rise in cannabis usage documented in recent decades, as per the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Despite federal prohibition, cannabis has been legalized in some form in 40 states and Washington D.C., contributing to its widespread use. Dr. Abra Jeffers, a lead author of the study and a data analyst at Massachusetts General Hospital, emphasized the dearth of awareness regarding the cardiovascular risks associated with cannabis use. While perceptions of cannabis harm have dwindled, previous research has hinted at its potential ties to cardiovascular diseases, with smoking as the prevalent mode of consumption posing additional health risks due to the inhalation of particulate matter.
Drawing data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, an annual survey by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the research team delved into the correlation between cannabis use and adverse cardiovascular outcomes across different demographic groups and consumption patterns.
Their analysis revealed that cannabis consumption, whether smoked, ingested, or vaporized, was linked to heightened risks of adverse cardiovascular events such as stroke, coronary heart disease, and myocardial infarction. Moreover, increased frequency of cannabis use corresponded to elevated odds of these adverse outcomes, even after adjusting for other cardiovascular risk factors.
Among daily cannabis users, the likelihood of experiencing a heart attack was 25% higher compared to non-users, while the risk of stroke was 42% higher. This trend persisted even among less-than-daily users. Notably, younger adults at risk for premature cardiovascular disease exhibited a 36% higher likelihood of suffering from stroke, heart attack, or cardiovascular disease associated with cannabis use, irrespective of their use of traditional tobacco products.
In conclusion, the study underscores the imperative of raising awareness about the cardiovascular risks of cannabis use, particularly among younger populations, and calls for further research to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these associations.
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