demystifying cannabis and heart health

the american heart association reports that cardiovascular disease (cvd) claims more lives each year in the u.s. than all forms of cancer. in fact, in 2016, cvds were responsible for one out of three deaths.

the centers for disease control and prevention (cdc) notes cardiovascular ailments such as stroke and heart attack are now the leading cause of death in the u.s. with almost 50 per cent of the population affected by cvds, it’s on minds of many researchers to try and understand the complex issue and what other ailments, medicines and activities may help or harm the heart.

research details the need for candid conversations

with the ever-growing rise of cannabis legalization, researchers unveiled study finding last year aimed at determining if marijuana’s growing use has had any impact on the u.s.’s serious cvd challenge. recognizing an opportunity for wider dialogue around patients’ weed use, the journal of the american college of cardiology published a  study in january 2020 by four major health institutions: columbia university irving medical center, university of alabama at birmingham, brigham & women’s hospital heart & vascular center and harvard medical school.

investigators explored if there was any association between those who have used marijuana and those with cardiovascular diseases. estimating that more than 2 million americans have used cannabis and that heart disease is still on the rise, the team recommended that better screening should be in place to identify key risk factors since some studies showed that marijuana could have adverse effects on heart health.

as it stands, doctors have limited information to go on when patients ask about marijuana’s effects on the heart. while cannabis can raise the heart rate and make the heart pump faster temporarily , concrete data showing long-term effects, positive or negative, remain elusive. some studies have cited a  risk of stroke for those with cvds immediately after using marijuana, while other studies claim cbd can reduce blood pressure .

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