Two recent studies have shown a possible association between frequent marijuana use and an increased risk of heart failure or heart attack, particularly in the elderly.

The American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2023 will be held in Philadelphia next week, and early data from the research will be presented there.

The First Study

(Photo: THOMAS SAMSON/AFP via Getty Images) A man smokes a joint during a demonstration for the decriminalization of cannabis in France, in Paris on May 12, 2018.

Over the course of 45 months (almost four years), the first research tracked 156,999 persons.

According to The Hill, individuals were asked to fill out a survey on their past marijuana usage, which was defined as "using marijuana when not prescribed for a health condition, or, if prescribed for medical purposes, using it beyond that purpose." All individuals were clear of heart failure at the start of the trial.

Daily cannabis users had a 34% higher chance of having heart failure than individuals who never used it, the research revealed. Nearly 2%, or 2,958 persons, had heart failure during the course of the research.

However, the risk decreased from 34% to 27% when researchers accounted for coronary artery disease. Scientists said this may show that coronary artery disease is a mechanism via which regular marijuana use may lead to heart failure.

The study's press release pointed out that researchers did not specify whether the marijuana was smoked or eaten, and that may affect the study's conclusions on its effects on the heart.

Resident physician at MedStar Health in Baltimore and lead author Yakubu Bene-Alhasan said in a press release that previous research already shows links between marijuana use and cardiovascular disease. This includes conditions like coronary artery disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation, which is a known cause of heart failure. "Marijuana use isn't without its health concerns, and our study provides more data linking its use to cardiovascular conditions," he said.

Bene-Alhasan said that the findings should prompt future studies of marijuana's usage to better understand its health effects, particularly on cardiovascular risk.

See Also: Ohio Attempts to Legalize Recreational Marijuana, Opponents Warn Lawmakers

The Second Research

The 2019 National Inpatient Sample, which was called the "largest database of hospitalizations" in a news release, was the subject of a second research. The subjects were people aged 65 and above who had at least one cardiovascular risk factor.

Patients' data were separated into two categories: those who used marijuana and those who did not, with a particular emphasis on those who claimed never to have used tobacco.

A total of 28,535 people participated in the study, and those who used marijuana had a 20% higher risk of experiencing a serious cardiac or brain incident while hospitalized. Compared to non-users of cannabis, around 14% of users had a serious adverse cardiac and brain event while in the hospital.

More research is required to fully understand the dangers of marijuana use, the researchers said. As reported by Bloomberg, they advocated for doctors to ask patients directly about marijuana use rather than just smoking habits. "If you ask patients if they are smoking, people think cigarette smoking," said Avilash Mondal, a resident physician at Nazareth Hospital in Philadelphia.

See Also: Marijuana Recommendation by US Health Agency Could Lead to Major Changes in Weed Laws