Smoking, vaping or ingesting cannabis is associated with cardiovascular risks.
- The study is observational, it only establishes a correlation and no causal link.
- 80,000 people suffer a myocardial infarction each year.
- Cannabis can have effects on heart, lung and brain health.
Cannabis has been legal since 2018 in Canada. It is possible to consume it both for its recreational and medical virtues. For Canadian scientists, the substance still raises many questions. A team from the University of Toronto wanted to know more about its cardiovascular consequences. “With recent legalization and decriminalization, cannabis use is increasing among young adults in North America, emphasizes Dr. Karim Ladha, clinician-researcher at Unity Health Toronto, and we don’t fully know its effects on cardiovascular health.” In Canadian Medical Association Journalthe scientist and his colleagues publish the results of their study on the subject.
Men, main consumers
The researchers relied on data from a survey conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of more than 33,000 adults between the ages of 18 and 44. Of all participants, 17% reported having used cannabis in the past 30 days. A heart attack was reported in 1.3% cannabis users and 0.8% non-users. The study of the answers allowed the scientists to know more about the profile of the consumers: it was more frequently about men, consuming tobacco and/or electronic cigarettes, and drinking regularly. These elements are considered cardiovascular risk factors, but the researchers adjusted them in the analysis so that only the effect of cannabis was taken into account.
Multiplied risks
The data studied allowed the researchers to observe that adults under the age of 45 who have recently used cannabis have twice the risk of having a myocardial infarction, compared to non-consumers. Occasional consumers have a 1.5 times higher risk, again compared to non-consumers. Scientists observe that all methods of cannabis consumption are at risk: smoking, vaping or any other technique, including ingestion. “This suggests that no method of consumption is safer than another in this regard.“, says Dr. Karim Ladha.
Improving prevention?
For the main author of this study, young adults, doctors and all health professionals must take into account this correlation between cannabis and cardiovascular risk. “As a young adult, it’s important to be aware of the risks associated with cannabis use, especially in today’s climate where we are exposed to a plethora of misinformation and unsubstantiated health recommendations.“, adds Nikhil Mistry, co-author. According to’observatory French for drugs and drug addiction, 44.8% of adults aged 18 to 64 reported having used cannabis in their lifetime in 2017, compared to 42.0% in 2014.
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