Cannabis is becoming more popular internationally for both medicinal and recreational purposes, but the new American Scientific research, the largest of its kind, warns that frequent use poses a risk to the heart. People who use cannabis (marijuana) daily have a 34% higher risk of developing coronary heart disease compared to those who never use it.

Researchers led by Dr. Isan Paranjipe of Stanford University in California, who announced this at the World Congress of Heart in the United States, looked at data from 175,000 people. Daily use of cannabis has been found to increase the risk of coronary heart disease by about a third, while less frequent use (about once a month) does not greatly increase the risk. The study did not differentiate between different forms of cannabis (smoking, eating, etc.).

“We found that cannabis use is associated with coronary heart disease, and the more often it is used, the greater the risk to the heart. From a public health perspective, the study shows that there are probably some harmful effects of cannabis that have not been known until now, and this is something that people should be aware of,” said Dr. Paranjipe.

As cannabis moves towards legalization in many US states and countries, new research highlights its potential long-term effects on the cardiovascular system. Coronary artery disease is the most common form of heart disease and occurs when the arteries supplying blood to the heart narrow due to the formation of cholesterol plaques inside them. The disease causes chest pain, shortness of breath and fatigue, and can lead to a heart attack.

Previous small studies have provided evidence that smoking cannabis can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases, especially among young adults, a new larger study confirms. Cannabis use disorder is a recognized psychiatric disorder associated with the frequent use and dependence of cannabis.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive molecule in cannabis, acts on cellular receptors found in the central nervous system, heart, and blood vessels. This action promotes inflammation and plaque buildup in the arteries, eventually leading to coronary heart disease. However, the same effect does not necessarily occur with cannabidiol (CBD), the other active ingredient in cannabis that is commonly included in THC-free products.

^{Source: APE-MEB}