November 8th 2023.
Cannabis has become increasingly popular as states have legalized recreational and medicinal use. However, two new studies presented at the American Heart Association’s 2023 Scientific Sessions this week are showing that it may have more adverse effects on heart health than previously thought.
The first study, conducted by researchers from MedStar Health in Baltimore, analyzed data from over 150,000 people who had no prior history of heart failure. They found that daily cannabis use was associated with a 34% higher risk of developing heart failure than those who had never used the drug. Dr. Yakubu Bene-Alhasan, the lead author of the study, said this research could help both cannabis consumers and health professionals make better, more informed decisions.
The second study, conducted by researchers from Adelphi University and other institutions, looked at hospitalization records of over 10 million adults aged 65 and older. Among the 28,000 patients with cannabis use, they found that those with a dependency were significantly more likely to experience major heart issues such as heart attack or stroke.
Currently, recreational cannabis use is legal in 24 states and medical use is legal in 38 states. With the recent approval of recreational use in Ohio, it is clear that cannabis is becoming increasingly accessible. This raises the question of what long-term health effects this drug may have on users. According to the American Heart Association’s 2023 Statistical Update, 6.7 million people in the U.S. are affected by heart failure, and the rate is higher among Black Americans. Previous research has also found a link between redlining and a higher risk of stroke, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, and early mortality due to heart disease. All of this suggests that cannabis use could have serious consequences on one’s health, and more research is needed to understand the full extent of its impacts.
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