A recent study spanning two decades has delivered surprising findings regarding the impact of cannabis use on heart health. The research, published in the Archives of Medical Science Atherosclerosis Diseases, reveals that cannabis users might experience better outcomes after heart attacks compared to those who don’t use cannabis. This challenges the widely held belief that cannabis could negatively affect heart health.
The study analyzed data from over 9 million patients who experienced acute myocardial infarction (AMI), commonly known as a heart attack. Among these patients, 117,641 were identified as cannabis users. The results showed that cannabis users had lower odds of developing atrial fibrillation, ventricular fibrillation, cardiogenic shock, and in-hospital mortality. This suggests a potential shift in our understanding of cannabis’s impact on the heart.
This finding challenges the common association of cannabis with increased heart risks. The study suggests a paradoxical scenario where cannabis users demonstrate a reduced likelihood of severe complications after a heart attack. This includes a lower frequency of procedures like percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) and intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) usage.
Interestingly, the study found that cannabis users were generally younger. This could explain the lower prevalence of concurrent health conditions like hypertension and diabetes, which are more common in older populations. Despite the higher incidence of risky behaviors such as smoking and alcohol use among cannabis users, the study accounted for these factors using propensity score matching and multivariate regression models. This ensures that the results specifically highlight the effects of cannabis.
The study’s findings are particularly relevant as cannabis gains social acceptance and legal status in many regions. The observed “cannabis paradox” mirrors the “smoker’s paradox,” where smokers unexpectedly show better short-term survival after AMI compared to non-smokers. Researchers theorize that the activation of cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) might offer cardioprotection, which could explain the improved outcomes among cannabis users.
However, the authors acknowledge that the potential underreporting of cannabis use and other limitations necessitate further research. They advocate for more comprehensive studies to unravel the intricate effects of cannabis on cardiovascular health, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of its clinical and therapeutic implications.
The latest findings on cannabis users’ improved heart attack outcomes align with growing evidence of the plant’s therapeutic benefits. This is supported by a recent study on older patients using cannabis for chronic pain conducted by Tilray Medical, a division of Tilray Brands, Inc. Both studies highlight cannabis’s evolving role in improving health outcomes.
While this research offers promising insights, it’s crucial to remember that it’s just one study, and more research is needed to fully understand the complex relationship between cannabis and cardiovascular health.
