Recent research published in the journal Heart has unveiled alarming findings regarding cannabis use and its implications for cardiovascular health. According to a comprehensive global review, cannabis consumption may double the risk of dying from heart disease and elevate the risk of stroke by 20%. This study comes at a time when the prevalence of cannabis and cannabinoid usage has surged over the past decade.
The research team from the University of Toulouse in France conducted an extensive investigation to fill the gaps in existing knowledge about the relationship between cannabis use and cardiovascular health. They scoured databases for large observational studies published between 2016 and 2023, focusing on cannabis use and its cardiovascular outcomes. Ultimately, they included 24 studies in their pooled data analysis, which encompassed approximately 200 million people. This analysis comprised 17 cross-sectional studies, six cohort studies, and one case-control study.
The demographic data from the studies revealed that participants were predominantly aged between 19 and 59 years. Among the studies that recorded sex, it was noted that cannabis users were mostly male and younger than their non-using counterparts. The findings highlighted significant risks associated with cannabis consumption: a 29% higher risk of acute coronary syndrome, a 20% increased risk of stroke, and a doubling of the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.
While the researchers provided valuable insights into the potential cardiovascular risks linked to cannabis use, they also acknowledged several limitations in their systematic review and meta-analysis. Most of the included studies exhibited a moderate to high risk of bias, primarily due to a lack of comprehensive information on missing data and imprecise measures of cannabis exposure. Many of these studies were observational, with several relying on the same dataset.
Despite these limitations, the research team asserted that their work offers a thorough analysis of published data concerning the association between cannabis use and major cardiovascular diseases, paving the way for greater awareness of the potential harms associated with cannabis.
In a related editorial, Prof Stanton Glantz and Dr. Lynn Silver from the University of California at San Francisco emphasized that the study raises critical questions about the widely held belief that cannabis poses minimal cardiovascular risks. They called for further research to determine whether these risks are confined to inhaled products or if they extend to other forms of cannabis exposure.
The editorial also noted that cannabis products have become increasingly potent and diversified, including high-potency concentrates, synthetic psychoactive cannabinoids, and edibles. The authors stressed the importance of understanding how these changes influence cardiovascular risk, as well as the proportion of risk attributable to cannabinoids versus other components.
Both the researchers and editorialists advocate for the integration of cannabis into the framework for preventing clinical cardiovascular disease. They argue that cardiovascular disease prevention should also be a consideration in the regulation of cannabis markets. This includes developing effective product warnings and educational initiatives to inform consumers about the associated risks.
As the evidence base continues to grow, it is essential to consider cardiovascular and other health risks in the regulation of cannabis products and marketing strategies. The authors suggest that cannabis should be treated similarly to tobacco—not criminalized, but discouraged, while also protecting bystanders from secondhand exposure.
