Cannabis and heart health

“THE CANNABIS PARADOX”
Cannabis users seem to fare better after heart attacks, study says

What happened: A newly published study uncovered a “cannabis paradox,” revealing that cannabis-using adults admitted to the hospital for heart attacks (acute myocardial infarction in technical terms) seem to fare better than non-users. 

This finding is paradoxical as previous studies showed a potential link between cannabis use and an increased risk of coronary artery disease.

Why it matters: Despite concerns that cannabis might negatively impact heart health, the study found that cannabis users had lower risks of severe complications like cardiogenic shock, stroke, cardiac arrest, and even a lower likelihood of in-hospital death.

However, cannabis users were more likely to experience certain types of heart rhythm problems, such as supraventricular tachycardia and ventricular tachycardia.

And more: One explanation is that cannabis users in the study were generally younger and thus had fewer age-related health issues like hypertension and diabetes. 

However, it’s also possible that cannabinoids might offer protective benefits for heart health through the activation of specific receptors that help protect the heart during a heart attack.

The underlying causes of heart attacks in cannabis users might also differ from those in non-users — cannabis use might lead to heart attacks due to increased heart rate and blood pressure rather than the common cause of blocked arteries.

What’s next: Given that cannabis use is associated with both risks and potential protective effects in heart attack patients, the study highlights the need for further research to better understand the complex effects of cannabis on heart health.

The researchers also acknowledged some limitations, such as the potential for underreporting cannabis use and the inability to determine the impact of the amount or timing of cannabis consumption on heart attack outcomes.

-CB

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