According to Dr. Michael Weaver, medical director of the Center for Neurobehavioral Research on Addiction at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, the study’s findings on the association between cannabis use disorder and cardiovascular events are plausible.
NEW YORK, Sept. 28 (UPI) — A new study from Canada suggests that adults with cannabis use disorder have approximately a 60% higher risk of experiencing a first heart attack, stroke, or other major cardiovascular event compared to individuals without this addiction.
The study, published in the journal Addiction, examined the link between problematic marijuana use and the initial occurrence of adverse cardiovascular disease events, such as heart attack, stroke, cardiac dysrhythmias, and peripheral vascular disease.
Cannabis use disorder refers to the problematic and often compulsive use of cannabis or marijuana, despite negative consequences on physical, mental, or social well-being.
The researchers analyzed data from five Canadian health databases and followed nearly 60,000 participants from January 2012 to December 2019.
Half of the participants had a diagnosis of cannabis use disorder, while the other half did not. The groups were matched based on gender, year of birth, and time of presentation to the health system. Individuals with previous adverse cardiovascular disease events were excluded from the study.
Among those with cannabis use disorder, 2.4% (721 individuals) experienced a first-time cardiovascular disease event compared to 1.5% (458 individuals) in the nonusers group.
Interestingly, individuals with cannabis use disorder who had no co-occurring medical illness, no prescriptions, and fewer than five visits to health services in the last six months had an even higher risk of a first-time cardiovascular disease event, about 1.4 times greater than the rest of this group.
The researchers suggest that this may be because these individuals perceived themselves as healthy and may not have noticed warning signs of an imminent cardiovascular event.
Dr. Anees Bahji, lead author of the study, emphasized the importance of understanding the health implications of cannabis use disorder, especially its impact on cardiovascular health. Bahji stated that as cannabis use becomes more prevalent globally, it is crucial to explore and quantify potential risks associated with its use.
The findings of this study can be valuable for healthcare providers and individuals who use cannabis, particularly in regions where it is legal and easily accessible. Bahji believes that these findings can also inform public health initiatives and policies related to cannabis use. However, more research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms fully and confirm these findings, as individual responses to cannabis can vary, and various factors can influence the observed associations.
Dr. Michael Weaver, a specialist in addiction medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, supported the study’s findings, stating that the association between cannabis use disorder and cardiovascular events is plausible. Weaver explained that cannabis affects the cardiovascular system and can lead to symptoms such as dilated blood vessels and an increased heart rate.
Dr. Jeffrey Anderson, an associate chief of cardiology at Intermountain Healthcare, also recognized the significance of the research, as there is limited evidence regarding the impact of cannabis use on cardiovascular risk. He described the study as an important contribution to filling that gap and addressing an important healthcare issue.
While the study’s results are important, Dr. Evan F Shalen from Oregon Health and Science University noted that they are unsurprising. People with substance use disorders are known to be at higher risk for various conditions, including cardiovascular disease. Shalen suggested that social, economic, or medical conditions that contribute to substance use disorders may also contribute to cardiovascular disease in these individuals.
On the other hand, Dr. Khaled Nour from Henry Ford Health expressed some reservations about the study, stating that it has limitations and deficiencies. Nour emphasized that the results do not provide firm conclusions on whether cannabis alone negatively affects cardiovascular health, as other factors such as smoking, drug use, and overall health literacy may play more significant roles in heart disease.
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