Is Marijuana Good for the Heart?
Results of a new study suggest that marijuana use may be good for the heart, as its use lowered the risk for death and atrial fibrillation (AFib) after hospitalization for a heart attack.1
Presented at the Heart Rhythm Society Scientific Sessions 2018, the study aimed to investigate the link between marijuana use and in-hospital arrhythmias or death after presenting with an acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
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“The legalization of marijuana is spreading quickly across the US, resulting in more people using it, but we still don’t know the true, long-term impact it has on one’s heart health,” said senior author Christine Tompkins, MD, assistant professor of cardiology medicine at University of Colorado School of Medicine. “Our study is the first to examine the relationship between marijuana use after a heart attack and various arrhythmias, and we did not see a negative connection.”2
Using hospital discharge records from 8 states, Tompkins and colleagues compared clinical profiles and hospital outcomes—including ventricular fibrillation (VF) and ventricular tachycardia (VT), cardiac arrest, AFib, and death—among 1,273,897 marijuana users vs nonusers aged 19 to 69 years who were admitted with AMI between 1994 and 2013.
Overall, 3854 patients were marijuana users. Of which, 374 (9.7%) had experienced VT/VF or cardiac arrest, 173 (4.5%) had AFib, and 135 (4%) had died.
Of the remaining nonusers, 122,797 (9.7%) had experienced VT/VF, 110,153 (8.7%) had AFib, and 75,311 (6%) had died.
Although there was no difference between the groups for VT/VF or cardiac arrest risk, marijuana use appeared to lower the risk for in-hospital death and AFib, compared with nonuse.
"We are just one step closer to a better understanding of the various heart effects of marijuana, so that we are able to take the necessary actions to provide optimal patient care.”2
— Amanda Balbi
Reference:
- Johnson-Sasso C, Kao DP, Walker LA, Tompkins D. Arrhythmic effects of marijuana following acute myocardial infarction. Paper presented at: Heart Rhythm Society Scientific Sessions 2018; May 9-12, 2018; Boston, MA. http://brandresourcesgroupmedia.com/hrs/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Arrhythmic-Effects-Of-Marijuana-Following-Acute-Myocardial-Infarction.pdf.
- New study suggests marijuana use does not increase arrhythmias, instead may reduce risk of AFib [press release]. Boston, MA: Heart Rhythm Society; May 8, 2018. https://www.hrsonline.org/News/Press-Releases/20182/05/New-Study-Suggests-Marijuana-Use-Does-Not-Increase-Risk-of-Heart-Arrhythmias-Instead-May-Reduce-risk-of-AFib. Accessed May 10, 2018.
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