Cannabis use has been associated with several cardiovascular adverse events, including myocardial infarction, cardiac arrythmias, stress cardiomyopathy, stroke, arteritis, and sudden cardiac death.
Researchers say weed can damage the heart and arteries in several ways, including by activating the sympathetic nervous system, which increases blood pressure and heart rate. That’s why it may be more dangerous to consume weed if you have certain types of heart problems, such as atherosclerosis, Nav Bajaj, MD, a cardiologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, says.
1. Inflammation
Inflammation is the body’s natural reaction to injury, infection or a foreign invader, and it includes both acute inflammation, which is short-term, and chronic inflammation, which can continue for many months. During the process, your immune system releases chemicals called cytokines that signal surrounding cells to produce substances that help your body fight off the intruder and heal the damage.
Inflamed arteries can block blood flow, causing tissue death and potentially leading to heart attacks or strokes. This is called cannabis arteritis, and it’s a rare condition that can happen to people who smoke heavy amounts of marijuana.
Another problem with inflammation is that it can lead to a condition called atherosclerosis, which causes arteries to narrow and reduce the amount of blood that can go through them. This can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke, and it may also increase the likelihood of other conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
Several studies have found that cannabis users are more likely to experience a heart attack than nonusers. Those who smoked marijuana more than once a month were particularly vulnerable to this effect.
However, the exact link between cannabis use and heart disease isn’t clear. Some studies suggest that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, may cause inflammation in blood vessels and promote artery calcification, which leads to atherosclerosis.
The same molecule may also cause platelets to clump together and form blood clots, which can block blood vessels and reduce the flow of blood. This can also lead to a condition known as vasospasm, which causes the muscular wall of an artery to contract and narrow the arteries.
2. Hypertension
The cardiovascular system is the part of the body that helps keep blood flowing throughout the body. This system can also help prevent disease by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels. However, cannabis has a wide range of effects on the cardiovascular system, which can increase your risk for certain health problems.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a chronic condition that can increase your risk of developing heart disease. Fortunately, it is a condition that can be controlled with medication and lifestyle changes.
Researchers are still trying to understand how cannabis affects the cardiovascular system. They are hoping that by learning more, they can find ways to use it safely.
For example, some people report that they feel relaxed and calm when they take cannabis. Other users experience euphoria or soaring feelings of joy.
Several studies have shown that cannabis cigarettes can increase blood pressure, which can cause damage to the heart. In addition, cannabis can cause angina in some people.
These effects of cannabis can be dangerous, especially for those who are already suffering from coronary artery disease or have a history of heart attacks. For this reason, it is important to keep a close eye on your blood pressure and make sure that you have a healthy diet and plenty of exercise.
The study authors recommend that people who are considering using cannabis should consult their doctor before doing so. They also advise that healthcare providers screen their patients for cannabis use, particularly if they are taking other medications that may be impacted by the drug.
Besides having an impact on the cardiovascular system, cannabis can also interfere with prescribed drugs that are used to treat conditions like diabetes and heart disease. This can be a significant problem, because it can be difficult to determine whether or not cannabis is affecting your medication.
3. Stroke
Inhaling cannabis smoke has been linked to a number of serious cardiovascular complications, including stroke and heart attack. It also has been associated with other complications related to lung disease, such as wheezing and chest tightness.
Many of these effects are similar to the cardiovascular response to inhaling tobacco cigarette smoke. Smoking marijuana, and particularly the THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) component, increases the concentrations of carbon monoxide and tar in the blood.
The increased concentration of carbon monoxide and tar, combined with the lowered oxygen supply to the heart, can trigger cardiac arrhythmias, especially in susceptible individuals who are under stress or have chronic hypertension. Similarly, THC can increase the risk of stroke by increasing resting heart rate and dilating blood vessels.
A study assessing the association of smoked cannabis with stroke found that people who smoked marijuana in the past 30 days were twice as likely to have a stroke than people who did not use marijuana in the past 30 days. These results are in line with previous studies assessing the relationship between smoked cannabis and heart attacks.
However, it is difficult to separate the effects of marijuana on the heart and blood vessels from other risks that are associated with it, such as pulmonary edema or other lung disease. It is therefore recommended that people with lung diseases do not smoke marijuana.
The endocannabinoid system is thought to be involved in modulating many vascular functions. This system is also believed to play a role in the development of heart disease, so it is important that researchers continue to explore these effects and determine how cannabis affects the heart and blood vessels.
4. Heart failure
The effects of cannabis on the cardiovascular system are varied and include a range of potential adverse cardiac effects. This includes tachycardia, hypertension, and vasoconstriction.
The main psychoactive component in marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC can cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, as well as an increased demand for oxygen.
Some of these effects can occur within an hour after a person has smoked cannabis. They can also happen if the person uses marijuana with other substances or if they have certain health problems.
These effects can lead to heart failure, a serious condition that causes the heart to not pump enough blood for the body’s needs. It can be life-threatening, so it is important to get medical help if you have any of the symptoms of heart failure.
Heart failure is the most common type of heart disease in adults. It affects more than 6 million people in the United States and is a leading cause of death in adults.
While a number of studies have found an association between cannabis use and heart failure, there is no strong evidence that using cannabis causes the condition. Nonetheless, it is still important to discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
The effects of cannabis on the cardiovascular system are different depending on the type of plant used. Some strains are more potent than others, and the way the plant is smoked can make a difference.
The effects of cannabis on the cardiovascular system vary by age, gender, and the amount ingested. Women of reproductive age should be aware of the potential long-term cardiovascular effects of cannabis use, especially when they are pregnant. In addition, women who have a comorbid substance use disorder or mental health disorders may also be at greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
5. Heart attack
The effects of cannabis on the cardiovascular system are complex and have yet to be fully understood. That said, it is clear that cannabis use does have some negative effects on the heart and lungs. In fact, researchers have found that frequent cannabis users are more likely to have a heart attack before age 50.
One of the key ways that marijuana can harm your heart is by causing inflammation in your arteries and blood vessels, which increases your risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). This can lead to plaque buildup, which can cause blood clots and ultimately a heart attack.
Similarly, the nervous system response to cannabis can increase your blood pressure and heart rate. This can make your heart work harder than it needs to and also can lead to problems such as arrhythmias, which are abnormal patterns of heartbeats that can cause death or stroke.
Additionally, smoking weed involves taking deeper inhalations and longer breath holds than cigarette smoke, which means that each hit delivers more chemicals to your heart and lungs that can damage them. That can be bad news for people who already have heart or lung conditions, especially those who have diabetes or high cholesterol.
As for pregnant women, cannabis use during this stage of pregnancy can lead to a greater chance of birth defects, including heart disease-related issues such as congenital heart disease or abnormal fetal growth. While some evidence suggests that cannabis may be protective against heart disease in pregnant women, more studies need to be done to understand exactly how it does so.
As a result, medical experts have recommended that health care professionals be aware of the negative effects of cannabis on the heart and encourage patients to choose non-psychoactive forms of the drug. In addition, they have urged that physicians screen young adults for their cannabis use and advise them to stop if necessary.
