Marijuana users may have a higher risk of developing heart attack and stroke, according to a new study. The study, which was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, found that people who reported using marijuana in the past month had a 47% higher chance of having a heart attack or a stroke, compared to those who did not use the drug.
The study, which was conducted by researchers from the University of Mississippi Medical Center and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, analyzed data from more than 33,000 adults aged 18 to 44, who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2017 and 2024. The participants were asked about their marijuana use, as well as their medical history, lifestyle, and other factors.
The researchers found that 17% of the participants reported using marijuana in the past month, and that 1.3% of them had a heart attack or a stroke during the follow-up period, which ranged from one to four years. In contrast, only 0.8% of the non-users had a heart attack or a stroke. After adjusting for age, sex, race, education, income, smoking, alcohol, cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, the researchers calculated that the marijuana users had a 47% higher risk of having a heart attack or a stroke, compared to the non-users.
The researchers said that the findings suggest that marijuana use may have harmful effects on the cardiovascular system, and that more research is needed to understand the mechanisms and the implications of the association. They also said that the findings may have important implications for public health and policy, especially in light of the increasing legalization and popularity of marijuana in the United States and other countries.
“Marijuana use is becoming more prevalent and more accepted in our society, but we still have limited knowledge about its potential harms and benefits,” said Dr. Raja Nawaz, the lead author of the study and an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. “Our study shows that marijuana use may be associated with a higher risk of heart attack and stroke, which are major causes of death and disability worldwide. We hope that our study will raise awareness and stimulate further research on this important topic.”
The study, however, had some limitations, such as the reliance on self-reported data, the lack of information on the frequency, dose, and mode of marijuana use, and the possibility of residual confounding by other factors. The study also did not establish a causal relationship between marijuana use and heart attack and stroke, and did not account for the potential effects of other substances, such as tobacco and alcohol, that may be used along with marijuana.
The researchers said that more studies are needed to confirm and explain their findings, and to explore the effects of different types and amounts of marijuana use on the cardiovascular system. They also said that marijuana users should be aware of the potential risks and consult their doctors before using the drug, especially if they have existing heart conditions or risk factors.
Despite the challenges, some experts say there is still hope for finding the optimal balance between the risks and benefits of marijuana use, if more research is done and more evidence is generated. They also say that marijuana use may have some therapeutic and medicinal value for certain conditions, such as chronic pain, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis, and that more studies are needed to evaluate and optimize its use for these purposes.
Source: Graphic Online
