Cannabis use, whether smoked, eaten, or vaporized, is associated with increased adverse cardiovascular outcomes, according to a new study.

In a paper published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Heart Association, researchers found that the risks of: coronary heart diseaseheart attacks and strokes increase with all types of cannabis use, and the more you use, the more likely you are to experience negative outcomes.

For example, a study found that people who used cannabis daily were 25% more likely to have a heart attack and 42% more likely to have a stroke than non-users.

“Despite its common use, little is known about the risks of cannabis use, particularly the risks of cardiovascular disease,” said lead author Abra Jeffers, a data analyst at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. said in a news release. “Awareness of toxicity is The number of cannabis smokers is decreasing, and people do not consider cannabis use to be dangerous to their health. However, previous research suggests that cannabis may be associated with cardiovascular disease. Additionally, smoking, the primary method of cannabis use, can pose additional risks. particulate matter It gets sucked in. ”

The cross-sectional study used survey data from 430,000 U.S. adults from 2016 to 2020, including participants ages 18 to 74. The data also allowed for control for other cardiovascular risk factors and smoking, showing that similar associations hold true among other populations. A person who never smokes.

“Our sample was large enough that we were able to examine the association between cannabis use and cardiovascular disease in adults who had never used tobacco or e-cigarettes,” Jeffers said. Ta. “Cannabis smoke is not that different from cigarette smoke, with the exception of the psychoactive drugs THC and nicotine. Our research shows that smoking cannabis carries just as significant cardiovascular risks as smoking cigarettes. This is particularly important. Cannabis use is on the riseand Traditional cigarette use is declining. ”

The study had several limitations, including self-reporting of heart disease and marijuana use, so the researchers called for further studies that followed groups of individuals over time.

So far, Robert L. Page, a professor at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, says the study “adds to the growing literature that cannabis use and cardiovascular disease may be a potentially dangerous combination.” Stated. In the release.

The findings should serve as a “call to action for all health care workers,” added Page, who was not involved in the study.