Like most medicinal substances, hemp cannabinoids can also lead to negative health consequences if they are abused or used in a way that is not appropriate for their health condition. New data suggests that in some situations, marijuana use may increase the risk of heart attack and heart failure in some people. In turn, previous studies have shown the benefits of CBD in certain cardiovascular diseases. We take a look at this information below.

New Research: Smoking Cannabis Daily May Contribute to Heart Failure?

The results of two studies conducted independently in 2023 in the United States suggest that daily smoking of medical or recreational marijuana may increase the risk of heart attack and heart failure. It has also been observed that smoking marijuana daily may increase the risk of heart and/or brain damage compared to non-smoking controls.

“All of Us” research program – smoking marijuana and heart attack

Researchers followed 156,999 people who did not suffer from heart failure when they entered the research program. Study participants completed a survey regarding the frequency of marijuana use and were followed for almost 4 years (45 months).

The analysis of the results took into account individual demographic and economic factors, alcohol consumption, smoking and other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity).

During the study period, 2,958 people (almost 2%) developed heart failure.

People who reported using marijuana daily had a 34% higher risk of heart failure compared to people who never used marijuana. This risk was the same regardless of age and gender.

In a secondary analysis, when coronary artery disease was added to the study, the risk of heart failure dropped from 34% to 27%, suggesting that coronary artery disease is a pathway through which daily marijuana use may lead to heart failure.

The average age of the people participating in the study was 54 years (in the 50-59 age group, the risk of heart attack or heart failure in the general population is approximately 5% and increases significantly with each decade). More than 60% of the surveyed people were women, the study included people from various ethnic groups, most often white people.

Importantly, the study participants used cannabis outside of medical purposes, even if the herb itself was medicinal. Therefore, it can be assumed that these people did not follow any regimen of using hemp cannabinoids and smoked unspecified amounts of dried herb every day.

Another limitation of the study is that it was based on data that did not specify whether the marijuana was inhaled or ingested. According to researchers, how marijuana is consumed can significantly influence differences in cardiovascular effects.

The impact of smoking marijuana on the heart in people 65+

Since 2015, cannabis use in the U.S. has nearly doubled and is increasing among older adults, so researchers say it's important to understand the potential increased cardiovascular risk that comes from it.

In the second study , researchers evaluated data from the 2019 National Hospital Sample, the largest nationwide database of hospitalizations.

Their aim was to check whether people 65+ who smoked marijuana and were hospitalized due to type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol experienced a heart attack, cardiac arrest, arrhythmia or stroke during hospitalization more often than people from the same group. age and "health", but non-smoking.

The researchers extracted data from adults over 65 years of age with cardiovascular risk factors who reported not smoking. This group of patients was then divided into two groups: cannabis users and non-users.

The study found that 28,535 cannabis users had risk factors for cardiovascular disease (high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol).

20% of people had an increased risk of having a serious cardiac or cerebral event during hospitalization compared to the group that did not use cannabis. Additionally, cannabis users (compared to cannabis abusers) were more likely to have heart attacks - 7.6% vs. 6%, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, respectively.

In the case of this study, most participants consumed hemp cannabinoids by smoking the herb and in a non-medical way: without agreeing on the doses and types of the herb with a doctor. A large proportion of people participating in the study showed symptoms of marijuana addiction.

“The latest research on cannabis use shows that smoking and inhaling smoke increases the concentration of carbon monoxide (a poisonous gas) in the blood to a similar extent to tobacco smoke. This factor is associated with heart muscle diseases, chest pain, heart rhythm disturbances, heart attacks and other serious diseases," the researchers wrote.

CBD in cardiovascular diseases

Due to its complex mechanism of action , CBD may affect the cardiovascular system in various ways. Scientists reviewed CBD's effects on this system in health and disease to determine the potential risk of cardiovascular side effects when using CBD for both medical and wellness purposes.

Although has been found to have vasodilatory and antioxidant properties in the treatment of hypertension, animal studies have shown that it does not affect blood pressure in the case of hypertension.

blood pressure lowering effect of CBD Additionally, many positive effects of CBD have been observed in experimental models:

heart diseases (myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis),
stroke,
hypoxic-ischemic cerebral encephalopathy,
sepsis-related encephalitis
cardiovascular complications of diabetes
ischemic damage to the liver and kidneys.

In these pathological conditions, CBD reduces, among other things, organ damage and dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammatory processes and tissue damage. However, CBD is not yet an approved drug for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Other research has focused on the role of the endocannabinoid system in cardiovascular disease. The results of previous research have shown that one of the numerous functions of the endocannabinoid system (whose primary role is to restore balance in the body) is the regulation of heart rate, blood pressure and the proliferation of specific blood cells.

Disturbances in the functioning of the endocannabinoid system may fuel further abnormalities in the functioning of the body. Therefore, according to the researchers, targeting the endocannabinoid system may have potential benefits in improving current and future treatment strategies aimed at cardioprotection.

Summary

The overall conclusion from this brief review of information is that people who abuse marijuana (particularly when smoked) and are also at risk of having a heart attack or heart failure due to comorbidities have a higher risk of such events than people who don't. they smoke marijuana.

However, when it comes to taking hemp cannabinoids in accordance with a doctor's recommendations or independent but balanced use of CBD, the situation may be completely different - it may have a beneficial effect on our body, including the cardiovascular system.