Cannabis and Cardiovascular Health - Research Report

Cannabis has been medically legal in at least one state for well over a decade now. As cannabis is prescribed as a medicine for so many people, it is a common question for patients to wonder how cannabis and cardiovascular health interact.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that using cannabis can make the heart beat faster and make blood pressure higher immediately after use. “It could also lead to increased risk of stroke, heart disease, and other vascular diseases. Most of the scientific studies linking marijuana to heart attacks and strokes are based on reports from people who smoked marijuana (as opposed to other methods of using it).” Smoking cannabis has also been found to deliver many of the same substances as tobacco smoke. These substances are “harmful to the lungs and cardiovascular system. It is hard to separate the effects of marijuana chemicals on the cardiovascular system from those caused by the irritants and other chemicals that are present in the smoke.” Although more research is always needed on studies such as this, it is likely that using cannabis as an inhalant can negatively affect the consumers health.

In a different study with The National Library of Medicine, it was determined that due to the fact that cannabis is the most commonly used substance in the United States (and only growing in usage), investigating how cannabis fully affects the body is necessary. The NLM study focused on “peripheral arteritis, coronary vasospasms, and platelet aggregation; however, many of the acute and, more so, long-term potentially toxic effects of marijuana and THC still remain unknown.” The first illness studied is Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is when your blood vessels begin to narrow or develop blockages in the vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lower extremities. PAD is mainly caused by the buildup of fatty plaque in the arteries, this issue is called atherosclerosis. Although PAD is primarily found in the legs, it can happen in any blood vessel. Second is Coronary vasospasms (CAS). CAS is when your heart's arteries constrict suddenly, this causes spasms that might trigger bigger issues like a heart attack. Lesser symptoms of CAS are pain, pressure, and overall discomfort in the chest. This illness also creates a risk of dangerous heart rhythms, heart attacks, and even sudden death. These symptoms are due to the narrow blood vessels preventing the heart muscle from getting all the oxygen needed to perform correctly. Lastly, platelet aggregation is when your blood platelets do not clump together to form blood clots correctly. It is tremendously important for the human body to be able to do this correctly because without this function, you could bleed to death from a non-lethal wound. Each of these illnesses can be exacerbated, or potentially created, from inhalation of any type of smoke.

In a previous study conducted by the NLM, they explained “Although it is widely viewed as a safe drug, marijuana has been strongly linked to various cardiovascular adverse events over the years. Many cases have linked marijuana to myocardial infarction, especially in young healthy men with no other risk factors. Marijuana has also been associated with a worse mortality rate post MI. Cases of marijuana precipitating arrhythmias, stress cardiomyopathy, and arteritis have all been described.” This was concerning to researchers as there has been a consistent rise in cannabis use among older patients “who are the most vulnerable to cardiovascular events, it is expected that these reports will increase in the next few years.

The pathophysiology of these events is still debated, with contradictory studies available in the literature. The expansive presence of the endocannabinoid receptors in the human body makes drawing conclusions extremely challenging. The interactions of the endocannabinoid system with the autonomic nervous system seem to be the driving force behind the reported cardiovascular adverse events.” There is a lack in laboratory studies on the impact of cannabis on our cardiac physiology and because of that it is still hard to come to a complete conclusion on cannabis effects. However, NLM says, “the alarming rate of adverse cardiovascular events reported over the past decade necessitates that physicians remain vigilant in everyday practice to recognize these effects and counsel their patients accordingly.” It is important to stand back and look at what we are consuming, but it is possible to personally feel that the benefits outweigh the side effects.

After their 2023 Scientific Sessions, the American Heart Association published a report containing multiple studies saying cannabis use is linked with increased risk of heart attack and heart failure. All studies focused on both the heart and brain’s health in relation to cannabis use:

“In one study, daily use of marijuana raised the risk of developing heart failure by about one-third, even after considering other factors, compared to people who reported never using marijuana. In a second study, older people with any combination of Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol who used marijuana, significantly increased their risk for a major acute heart or brain event while hospitalized, compared to those who reported not using marijuana.”

Unfortunately, out of all the uses for cannabis, it seems it is not something to be used to fix or placate heart issues. Unless stated otherwise by your doctor, this does not mean to cut cannabis out of your life altogether. In conclusion, most of the scientific community agrees that cannabis can negatively affect your cardiovascular health. As reported above, using cannabis can make your heart beat faster than normal and raise your blood pressure. I’m sure some of us reading can corroborate this. This is something that is important to know, even though this information won’t stop us from using cannabis. Take this with a grain of salt and do with it what you will. Remember that two things can be true at once, cannabis can help with other health issues while still not being good for your heart. Regardless of your choices, stay safe out there! One way to take care of your heart this month is to celebrate Valentine’s Day, share a little love!