Heart risks from marijuana

The findings showed that people who used cannabis daily had a 25% increased risk of having a heart attack, a 42% increased risk of having a stroke, and a 28% increased risk of developing heart disease.

Researchers determined that among young marijuana users, the risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack, and stroke was 36% higher, regardless of whether they smoked cigarettes.

Participants who used marijuana once a week had a 3% increased risk of heart attack and a 5% increased risk of suffering a stroke. Researchers found that smoking marijuana just once a month also increased the risk of heart attack and stroke, but less than weekly or daily use.

This data indicates that there is a dose-response relationship between marijuana use and cardiovascular side effects. The more marijuana you use, the higher your risk of developing heart disease.

Overall, about 75% of study participants reported using some form of cannabis to get high. Some smoked marijuana, some vaped, and some used edibles, but the study did not focus on specific methods of use.

Smoking was the most common method of marijuana use, but researchers said smoking weed was not safe. Smoking a substance usually makes it more toxic.

How marijuana side effects affect the cardiovascular system

Previous studies have shown that THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, can increase inflammation in blood vessels, leading to heart disease and cardiac side effects. Consuming edibles or smoking cannabis can lead to the same heart disease risks, as they also contain THC.

Aside from inflammation, researchers aren’t sure what effects marijuana specifically has on the cardiovascular system. This may be related to oxidative stress, abnormal heart rhythms, or a combination of several mechanisms that cause inflammation and vascular damage.

However, researchers say people with pre-existing heart disease or who are at high risk for cardiovascular disease should especially avoid marijuana use. This equates to approximately 1 in 20 Americans.

The new study’s results add to a growing body of research suggesting that marijuana is harmful to the heart and cardiovascular system. This is one of the largest studies ever conducted showing an association between marijuana use and cardiovascular side effects in non-cigarette smokers.