CANNABIS USE MAY DAMAGE YOUR HEART

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CANNABIS USE MAY DAMAGE YOUR HEART







Think cannabis is harmless? New research might make you think twice. Two groundbreaking studies have uncovered a startling link between marijuana use and heart attacks — and it's not just affecting older folks.

The first study, which tracked over 4.6 million people, dropped a bombshell: cannabis users under 50 were six times more likely to have a heart attack than non-users. Let that sink in. We're talking about young, healthy adults with normal blood pressure, healthy cholesterol levels, and no history of heart problems.

But wait, there's more. A second study — the largest of its kind — analyzed data from 12 previous studies covering a mind-boggling 75 million people. The verdict? Cannabis users faced a 50% higher risk of heart attacks compared to those who stayed away from the drug.

"Cannabis use needs to be part of the conversation about heart health," says Dr. Ibrahim Kamel from Boston University. "Just like we ask patients about cigarettes, we need to be asking about cannabis." He's not trying to be a buzzkill — he wants people to understand what they're signing up for.

The numbers get even more disturbing. Over three years of follow-up, cannabis users didn't just face higher heart attack risks. They were:

  • 4 times more likely to have an ischemic stroke

  • 2 times more likely to develop heart failure

  • 3 times more likely to die from cardiovascular issues

How does cannabis mess with your heart? Scientists aren't entirely sure, but they have some theories. It might throw off your heart rhythm, make your heart work harder for oxygen, or mess with your blood vessels' ability to relax and keep blood flowing smoothly. Most concerning? One study found heart attack risk peaked just one hour after using cannabis.

Now, before you panic, there are some caveats. These studies couldn't account for everything — like whether people were also using other drugs or how much cannabis they consumed. And as Dr. Kamel points out, cannabis users sometimes use different substances that could affect heart health.

But here's the bottom line: as cannabis becomes legal in more places and its use continues to rise, understanding its effects on our hearts isn't just academic — it's crucial. This isn't about fear-mongering; it's about making informed choices.

The message isn't "don't use cannabis." It's "know the risks." And if you do use it, be honest with your doctor. After all, they're there to help, not judge.

This research will be presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.25) and published in JACC Advances. It builds on previous findings from 2023 that linked daily cannabis use to increased coronary artery disease risk.

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