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Cardiovascular Risks Identified
A comprehensive study involving over 4.6 million participants found that individuals under 50 who use marijuana are significantly more likely to experience cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes, compared to non-users.
Specifically, cannabis users were reported to be six times more likely to suffer a heart attack, four times more likely to have an ischemic stroke, and two times more likely to face heart failure. The risk of death from cardiovascular problems was also notably higher.
Calls for Awareness and Further Research
Lead author Dr. Ibrahim Kamel emphasized the need for healthcare professionals to inquire about patients' cannabis use as part of assessing cardiovascular risk, akin to screening for cigarette smoking.
There is a call for more comprehensive studies to understand the full scope of cannabis's impact on heart health and to identify which groups are at the highest risk, amid growing legal acceptance of marijuana.