A recent study published in the journal Heart found that individuals who consume cannabis are twice as likely to die from cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes, compared to non-users. The research analyzed health data from approximately 200 million people worldwide, offering a comprehensive insight into the potential risks associated with marijuana use.
The meta-analysis examined 24 studies conducted between 2016 and 2023 in countries such as Australia, Egypt, Canada, France, Sweden, and the United States. The findings revealed that cannabis consumption is associated with a 29% increased risk of acute coronary syndrome—a sudden blockage of blood flow to the heart—and a 20% higher risk of stroke.
Most participants in the studies were aged between 19 and 59, with cannabis users generally being younger and more likely to be male compared to non-users. Despite these statistics, cannabis use among adults has reached an all-time high, with self-reported marijuana use more than doubling since 2008.
Experts are expressing concern over the growing perception of cannabis as a harmless substance. Professor Emeritus Stanton Glantz from the University of California, San Francisco, and Dr. Lynn Silver from the Public Health Institute authored an editorial published alongside the study. "This raises serious doubts about the assumption that cannabis poses few cardiovascular risks," they stated, according to CBS News. Dr. Silver emphasized, "It's not any more of a safe natural wellness product than tobacco, which also comes from a plant," reported National Geographic.
The increasing potency of marijuana products is also a concern. Dr. Silver noted, "What is sold today in California is 5 to 10 times more potent than in the 1970s," according to a report by CNN Spanish. High-potency cannabis concentrates can contain up to 99% pure THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana, potentially leading to greater health risks.
While the exact biological mechanisms remain unclear, previous research suggests that cannabis can elevate heart rate, increase blood pressure, and cause inflammation in blood vessels. Co-author of the study, Dr. Émilie Jouanjus, a clinical pharmacologist at the University of Toulouse in France, feels there is enough evidence to warrant caution. "We fear that the association may be even stronger than reported," she said, according to Gizmodo.
The authors acknowledge limitations in the studies analyzed, including potential imprecise dosage measurements and the risk of bias due to missing data. Nevertheless, they assert that their work provides a comprehensive review of the available data on marijuana use and cardiovascular disease. "Our results provide a fully comprehensive report of the recent situation towards the cardiovascular health of cannabis users," they wrote.
Public health experts are calling for increased awareness and further research into the cardiovascular effects of cannabis. Dr. Abra Jeffers from Massachusetts General Hospital emphasized the grave implications, stating, "Our findings suggest that daily cannabis use may have serious cardiovascular consequences," reported The Economic Times. She stressed the importance of healthcare providers being aware of these risks, especially as marijuana becomes more accessible.
Professor Glantz advocates for cannabis to be treated similarly to tobacco in terms of regulation. "Cardiovascular and other health risks must be considered in the regulation of allowable product and marketing design as the evidence base grows," he stated, according to Medical Dialogues. "Today that regulation is focused on establishing the legal market with woeful neglect of minimizing health risks."
The preparation of this article relied on a news-analysis system.