Study Finds: Regular marijuana use may increase the risk of heart disease

Study Finds: Regular marijuana use may increase the risk of heart disease

New research found that people who used marijuana daily had an approximately 34% higher risk of developing coronary heart disease than people who had never used the drug. Experts say that all methods of consuming marijuana (whether through smoking or edibles) can pose potential health risks.

New research suggests that frequent cannabis use may be a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD).

A two-part observational study presented March 5 at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology found in the first part that people who used marijuana daily had about a 34% higher risk of developing coronary heart disease than people who had never used the drug. On the other hand, infrequent marijuana use did not correlate with a higher risk of CAD.

“We found that cannabis use is associated with coronary heart disease, and there appears to be a dose-response relationship, as more frequent cannabis use is associated with a higher risk of coronary heart disease,” Ishan Paranjpe, MD, lead author of the study and a resident physician at Stanford University, said in a press release.

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In the second part of the study, researchers used a genetics-based approach called “Mendelian randomization” to identify a causal relationship between cannabis use disorder and CAD risk. They found that people with a genetic susceptibility to cannabis use disorder or severe cannabis dependence had a higher risk of developing coronary heart disease compared to other participants.

Paranjpe and his colleagues used data from the National Institutes of Health's All of Us Research Program, which included health information and habits from 175,000 people, in addition to surveys of cannabis use frequency and medical records spanning several years.

“In terms of the public health message, it shows that cannabis use is likely to cause certain harms that were not previously recognized,” concluded Dr. Paranjpe. “People should take that into account.”

Depending on the laws in your state, cannabis may or may not be legal for medical or recreational use. The effects of cannabis vary from person to person and depend on many variables, including type, dosage, frequency of use, and interactions with current medications. If you are interested in using cannabis in any form, discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist. Unlike prescription medications, dispensary and recreational cannabis purchases are not subject to FDA regulation.

The popularity of marijuana use in the United States

Over 50% of Americans live in states that have legalized marijuana for general medical use, and there are over 20 states that have legalized marijuana for nonmedical adult use, said Rachel-Maria Brown Talaska, MD, director of inpatient cardiac services at Northwell HealthHealth.

The data on this topic is extensive, ranging from ever-changing views on marijuana legalization to the number of American adults who have tried the substance at some point. Even as these prospects wax and wane, one thing remains: A higher percentage of Americans have tried marijuana than ever before.

“The prevalence of marijuana use has increased rapidly, due in part to changing societal norms and attitudes toward marijuana use, recent changes in the legal status of both medical and recreational marijuana use, and drug policy reform,” confirmed Dr. Talaska.

As these changes continue to progress, younger generations are becoming more comfortable and accustomed to marijuana use. However, it is not necessarily a generational normality that explains that the younger generation is most likely to smoke regularly. Historically, it has been found that people smoke most often when they are younger and stop smoking as they age.

“Among young adults between the ages of 18 and 40, we are seeing higher rates of recreational use and also increasing problems related to cardiovascular disease such as stroke,” Robert Page, PharmD, MSPH, a professor at the University of Colorado School of Pharmaceutical Medicine, explainsHealth.

"Something like a stroke can seriously affect a young person's life and they don't think about things like that," he added. “So patients need to be aware that this could be a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease.”

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Marijuana use and cardiovascular health?

Marijuana use can have an impact on a person's cardiovascular health because cannabinoids, a chemical found in marijuana, can increase heart rate and affect the sympathetic nervous system, noted Dr. Page.

He explained that increasing heart rate also increases the heart muscle's oxygen demand, meaning the heart needs more oxygen to pump more efficiently.

“The heart has to work harder and therefore what is called tachycardia or an increased risk of heart rate occurs, which can lead to possible cardiac arrhythmias, angina and chest pain,” he continued.

Dr. Page further explained that excessive activation of the sympathetic nervous system can lead to prolonged stress and increase overall heart rate and workload. In the long term, this could play a role in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, as well as other heart diseases such as myocardial infarction or heart attack.

“By stimulating the sympathetic nervous system, we activate all of these compensatory mechanisms that can lead to cardiovascular disease in the long term,” he said.

Marijuana consumption may also increase the risk of heart disease because it can activate certain proteins that can lead to cell death, deterioration of heart pumping function, and activation of the systemic inflammatory response system, which can lead to blood vessel dysfunction, says Dr. Talaska added.

Does the method of marijuana consumption matter?

There are several ways for people to consume marijuana, including by smoking pipes, joints, blunts and bongs, vaping, or consuming edibles, gummies and other baked goods, Yu-Ming Ni, MD, a cardiologist specializing in noninvasive cardiology at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, saidHealth.

While more research is needed to examine the health effects of various forms of marijuana use on the heart, brain and other vital organs, Dr. Ni finds that smoking marijuana can be more harmful to lung health compared to other methods.

"Smoking increases the toxins that are inhaled. It doesn't matter if it's cigarettes or marijuana - you consume those toxins and they get into the respiratory tract, into the blood vessels and damage [those] blood vessels," he said.

Dr. Ni added that most people who smoke marijuana also tend to inhale more deeply with each breath and tend to absorb more toxins and irritants into multiple parts of the lungs compared to cigarette smokers.

Regardless of how you consume marijuana, Dr. Page said all methods can pose potential health risks to some degree.

"Based on observational data looking at smoking, e-cigarettes or edibles, the risk of a heart attack appears to be broadly the same," he said. "The new data validates other observational data - that is, the longer you use it, the more we know there is an association that there is a much higher risk than those who use it intermittently."

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Alternative methods to marijuana use for anxiety

With this in mind, experts know that there are people who may use marijuana to relieve anxiety and stress or to calm down. While medical advice is direct and primarily recommended, experts recommend additional methods for anxiety relief, including:

Stay active, limit caffeine consumption, prioritize healthy sleep habits, practice meditation, mindfulness or breathing exercises, engage in relaxing activities such as yoga or tai chi, reduce toxic exposures such as excessive alcohol consumption, reduce screen time and social media presence, and seek professional counseling or treatment if needed

Dr. Page noted that when trying new alternatives, it can take some time to feel calm or relaxed. But he encourages people to try things that work best for them and to really evaluate their marijuana use.

"Remember: Just because it's natural doesn't mean it's safe. It's like any other drug, it has interactions and will have side effects," concluded Dr. Page. "One of these side effects could be myocardial infarction. You need to make an informed decision and weigh the risk-benefit ratio."

Although marijuana legalization is becoming more common, there are still certain laws and situations where marijuana use may not be appropriate. Research local laws and be aware that the fact that the substance may be legal in your area does not necessarily mean it is always the right choice. If you have any questions, consult a doctor.