A new danger has been uncovered.
A recent review has found that marijuana use is linked to a doubled risk of death from heart disease, along with increased chances of stroke and heart attack. These findings were published on June 17 in the journal Heart.
The research, led by Emilie Jouanjus from Toulouse University Hospital in France, aligns with previous studies suggesting a connection between cannabis use and cardiovascular problems. An accompanying editorial emphasized that these results challenge the belief that cannabis poses minimal risk to heart health.
The editorial argued that marijuana should be treated similarly to tobacco—not criminalized, but discouraged—while advocating for stronger protections against secondhand smoke exposure. The authors called for clear product warnings and educational efforts about the cardiovascular risks associated with cannabis use.
The analysis combined data from 24 studies covering roughly 200 million people aged 19 to 59. It showed marijuana users face twice the risk of dying from heart disease, a 29% higher chance of heart attacks, and a 20% increased risk of stroke. However, the studies did not clearly differentiate between cannabis consumption methods, such as smoking versus edibles, nor did they consistently measure usage amounts.
Notably, the editorial highlighted a rapid rise in daily cannabis use among U.S. adults aged 35 to 50, increasing from 2.5% in 2008 to 7.5% in 2023. Among younger adults aged 19 to 30, daily use has quadrupled since 1990, now affecting about 10% of that group—surpassing rates of daily alcohol and tobacco use.
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