BudMed Bulletin for 10/10/24

Cannabis for the Heart

Next issue: Cannabis for PTSD

Introduction

Exploring Cardiovascular Health and Medical Cannabis. In this issue, we focus on Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and its complex relationship with medical cannabis. As cannabis becomes increasingly accepted for medical use, it's crucial to address its potential impact on heart health. We'll examine how cannabinoids might affect the cardiovascular system, from immediate effects like altered heart rate to long-term concerns such as increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Our aim is to equip you with knowledge to make informed choices about medical cannabis use while considering cardiovascular health.

Risk Analysis

In this section, we delve into recent studies to assess the cardiovascular risks associated with cannabis use:

Meta-Analysis on Cannabis and Cardiovascular Events: A comprehensive meta-analysis published in Science Direct concluded that cannabis use does not significantly correlate with acute myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, or other adverse cardiovascular events. This suggests that, at least from a broad statistical perspective, cannabis might not be as detrimental to heart health as once thought. Source 

Systematic Review: Further corroborating evidence comes from a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies, which found no significant increase in the risk of adverse cardiovascular events, including acute MI and stroke, associated with cannabis exposure. Source

Monthly Cannabis Use and Heart Attack: Research focusing on middle-aged adults indicates that monthly cannabis use, was not associated with an increased risk of subsequent myocardial infarction. Interestingly, there was a noted increase in odds only when cannabis had not been used recently, suggesting a complex relationship between timing of use and cardiovascular impact. Source

 Cannabis and Atrial Fibrillation: In a longitudinal study, cannabis use was not linked to a higher incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF), one of the most common arrhythmias. This study highlights the need for more detailed research, particularly regarding the method and quantity of cannabis ingestion, which was not evaluated in this cohort. Source 

These findings challenge some earlier concerns about the immediate and severe cardiovascular risks of cannabis use, indicating that the relationship between cannabis and cardiovascular health might be less straightforward than previously assumed. However, these studies also underscore the importance of considering how, how often, and in what quantities cannabis is consumed, as these variables could influence cardiovascular outcomes differently.

Hospital outcomes of cannabis patients

This section explores how cannabis use correlates with hospital outcomes for patients experiencing significant cardiovascular events:

Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) Admissions: A study spanning two decades in the US reveals that cannabis users admitted for AMI faced better in-hospital outcomes compared to non-users. Specifically, they exhibited lower risks of experiencing cardiogenic shock, acute ischemic stroke, cardiac arrest, and had reduced needs for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), alongside lower in-hospital mortality rates. This suggests that cannabis users might have some protective factors or different physiological responses during acute cardiac events. Source

Heart Failure Hospitalisations: Another intriguing finding comes from research on heart failure patients, where cannabis use was linked to decreased in-hospital mortality and a shorter length of hospital stay (LOS). This could imply that cannabis might play a role in mitigating some of the severe outcomes associated with heart failure, although the mechanisms behind this association require further exploration. Source

These studies provide a surprising perspective, suggesting that cannabis, possibly due to its anti-inflammatory or other pharmacological properties, might influence cardiovascular health positively in certain scenarios.

Public Health Perspectives

The UK Public Health Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, says: “The effects of cannabis on the heart and blood vessels are similar to the effects of moderate exercise and do not constitute a risk in healthy adolescents or adults. Furthermore, tolerance occurs with repeated use.” Source

Summary

As we've explored in this newsletter, the relationship between cannabis use and cardiovascular health presents a multifaceted picture:

Limited Association with Adverse Events: Recent studies suggest that cannabis use does not significantly increase the risk of acute cardiovascular events like myocardial infarction or stroke, challenging some earlier concerns.

Positive Hospital Outcomes: Surprisingly, cannabis users might experience better outcomes during hospital stays for acute myocardial infarction and heart failure, including lower mortality rates and shorter hospital stays.

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Disclaimer: The content provided in this newsletter by BudMed Bulletin is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or the use of medical cannabis.