Marijuana use can increase the chances of heart attack, heart failure. – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

By Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, Nov. 6, 2023 (HealthDay News) — New research suggests that people who regularly smoke medical marijuana may have an increased risk of heart attack, heart failure or stroke.

A study has shown that cannabis use in elderly patients increases the risk of heart attack or stroke by 20%. Another study found that cannabis use increased the risk of heart failure by 34 percent.

The studies are scheduled to be presented at the upcoming meeting of the American Heart Association (AHA) in Philadelphia. Research presented at meetings should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

“Patients and physicians should be aware of these incidents because we’ve seen more patients starting on marijuana,” he said. Dr. Oylash Mondalan internist at Nazareth Hospital in Philadelphia and lead researcher of the first study.

In the study, Mondal’s team looked at nearly 29,000 marijuana users over the age of 65 who were part of a nationwide database of inpatient hospitalizations. No one smoked traditional tobacco cigarettes.

Of this population, 14% had a heart attack or stroke.

Research has shown that people with cannabis use disorders who experience heart attacks or strokes are more likely to be black patients, those with AIDS, alcohol or drug abuse, depression or High blood pressure occurs.

Mondal said the study doesn’t prove marijuana causes heart attacks or strokes,…