Effects of Cannabis on Cardiovascular System
It’s about time for the people to realise the adverse health effects associated with the use of Cannabis, rather than believe it to be safe. On detailed study and observation, chemicals in Cannabis have been linked to higher risk for heart attack, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation.
A cardiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, Dr. Muthiah Vaduganathan pointed out that certain forms of Cannabis delivery, such as vaping, can have unique cardiovascular health implications on the users. Because cannabinoid receptors are distributed all over the body, including in the heart, there’s a potential impact for effects on the heart, Dr. Vaduganathan said.
Multiple hypotheses have been proposed on the mechanisms by which Cannabis causes acute coronary syndrome. Prolonged half-life of Cannabis due to competitive substrate inhibition of CYP3A4 has been proposed as one of the possible mechanisms. Smoking Cannabis has shown to have acute effects on cardiovascular function and on exercise-induced angina in patients with angina pectoris.
Cardiovascular effects of consuming Cannabis
Cannabis consumptions leads to both short-term and long-term effects on the cardiovascular health of the users. Short term effects include:
- Increased heart beat
- Increased blood pressure which may result in heart failure
- Dilated blood vessels
- Myocardial Infarction
Older people, particularly with some degree of coronary artery or cerebrovascular disease, are at greater risk after Cannabis consumption due to the resulting increase in catecholamines, cardiac workload, and carboxyhemoglobin levels, and concurrent episodes of profound postural hypotension.
A 2000 study by researchers at Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard School of Public Health reportedly found that a middle age person’s risk of heart attack rises nearly fivefold in the first hour after smoking marijuana, “roughly the same risk seen within an hour of sexual activity”.
Researchers are now learning how THC in Cannabis may affect the heart. The main mind-altering (psychoactive) ingredient is THC present in Cannabis, or Marijuana, that can cause a person to feel high. Cannabis Products contain THC that functions to stimulate the heart as well as promote vascular inflammation and oxidative stress in the users. This in turn leads to elevated blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, and overall higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and sudden death.
Cannabis may have medicinal properties, but it could also be harmful to the heart and blood vessels, according to a report from the American Heart Association (AHA). The AHA statement reported a study that cited that 6 percent of patients under the age of 50 who had a heart attack have been reported to use Cannabis. It was therefore linked to having worse all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Another study noted a significantly higher chance of having a stroke in Cannabis users aged between 18 to 44, with even higher odds in those who consumed it more frequently as compared to those who did not use Cannabis at all.
How to treat Cannabis Addiction?
Cannabis is highly addictive and is one of the hardest substances to refrain from. Most addicts do not see it as something that needs medical intervention despite the adverse health effects due to its social acceptance. But the fact is that Cannabis addiction could result in long-term/chronic health issues including cardiovascular and respiratory issues if not exactly fatality.
Early medical intervention can present early cure and freedom from addiction. Addicts should join a full-scale treatment centre or a rehab right away to kick off a lasting recovery.
Phoenix Rehab Services is a leading Rehabilitation Centre in India for Substance Abuse and Behavioural Addiction. At Phoenix, we can help provide the right tools to you or your loved ones on the journey to lead a healthy life free from addiction. Our reliable & effective Drug and Alcohol Addiction Recovery Program is headed and supported by experienced & dedicated de-addiction therapists and is driven by motivated staff that is equipped to handle the various needs of patients and has years of experience in treating addiction.
