The side effects of cannabis no one told you about: Heart risk is real, says latest major study

Although cannabis use in the United States is illegal at federal level, it can be used for medical purposes in 39 states, four territories and the District of Colombia, and even recreationally in 24 states, three territories and D.C. The drug’s status in the U.S. mirrors countries in the rest of the world, many of whom have vastly varying views about its legality.

Of those who do use it, some use it to sleep better, many to help them relax, and others to deal with pain. And, of course, let’s not forget those who simply want to enjoy the high life.

Those same people, however, may be somewhat concerned by recent research carried out by heart doctors, which has been published in Heart journal.

Cannabis study produces shocking results

After analyzing 24 studies from around the world based on the correlation between cannabis use and heart problems, doctors discovered that cannabis users are 29% more likely to suffer a heart attack, have a 20% greater risk of having a stroke, and twice as likely to die from heart disease.

Young people appear not to be immune, either. According to one study, users aged 15-22 are 36% more likely to have a heart attack compared to non-users, while another showed that heart attacks were considerably more likely to be fatal for young cannabis consumers.

Other trends discovered were that young women who are heavy cannabis users are more at risk, while one piece of research even suggested people using cocaine had a smaller chance of suffering a heat attack.

Why could cannabis be dangerous?

The danger is believed to be down to more people using cannabis than in the past, and, importantly, modern-day users consuming stronger cannabis than ever before. Nowadays, cannabis tends to have higher levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which increases strain on the body, especially the heart and brain.

Regular vs. occasional cannabis use

As you might expect, regular use, especially at a young age, is when serious heart issues are most likely to occur. The results of most studies looked at suggest occasional use may not have serious consequences for a person’s health.

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