What is the impact of cannabis on heart health?

Recent scientific research indicates that cannabis use may heighten the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks.

Studies have shown that specific chemicals found in cannabis could be linked to an increased risk of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and heart attacks. Regular cannabis consumption can affect heart function and potentially lead to heart disease complications.

Using cannabis can cause an immediate rise in blood pressure and heart rate, placing stress on the entire circulatory system. Prolonged exposure to these conditions can adversely affect heart health.

When cannabis is smoked, the inhaled smoke introduces harmful chemicals into the body, which can damage both the lungs and the cardiovascular system.

This Dispenseree.london article explores the relationship between cannabis and heart health, analysing its effects on the heart, the consequences of smoking, and offering tips for maintaining a healthy heart.

Here Are The Table Of Contents:

• Connection Between Cannabis And Heart Health
• Cannabis Impact On The Heart
  • Potential Hazards
  • Advantages
• Smoking Impact On The Heart
• Tips For Optimising Heart Health
• Conclusion

Is There Any Connection Between Cannabis and Heart Health?

It is crucial to understand that cannabis can impact heart health. Research indicates that daily cannabis users have a slightly higher risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD) compared to non-users.

A study has shown that daily cannabis users have an elevated risk of heart failure compared to individuals who have never used cannabis. This study also found that heart failure resulting from cannabis use often has CAD as an underlying condition, ultimately leading to heart failure.

Read more and Understand the impact of cannabis vs nicotine

What Is the Impact of Cannabis on the Heart?

Cannabis smoke may contain harmful substances, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are known carcinogens.

Immediately after using cannabis, individuals typically experience an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. These effects can potentially elevate the risk of coronary events and place additional strain on the heart. Using tobacco alongside cannabis can further increase the risk of CAD and other heart-related complications.

Potential Hazards

It is important to recognise that using cannabis can pose additional risks for individuals with pre-existing conditions that may heighten the chances of heart disease or failure. Conditions such as diabetes or high cholesterol can exacerbate these risks.

Many people enjoy smoking cannabis and may mix it with tobacco. Cannabis use, like tobacco, introduces various harmful substances into the body, which can significantly affect the health of the lungs and cardiovascular system. High cholesterol, smoking tobacco, and high blood pressure are major risk factors for developing heart disease across all age groups.

Advantages

Cannabis has been found to offer benefits for various mental and physical conditions, including:

• Pain management
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Epilepsy
• Inflammatory bowel disease and inflammatory bowel syndrome
• Multiple sclerosis
• Cancer and nausea, particularly related to cancer treatment
• Sleep difficulties
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Despite its benefits, cannabis can have negative effects. It is recommended to use cannabis under the guidance of a medical professional and to follow their recommendations closely.

Smoking And Its Impact On The Heart

It is crucial to understand that smoking significantly increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Smoking introduces various harmful chemicals into the body, leading to a higher likelihood of illnesses such as cancer and coronary artery disease (CAD).

Tobacco contains chemicals that can make the walls of your arteries sticky, causing fatty material to accumulate and form clogs.

This build-up can disrupt blood circulation. When the arteries supplying blood to the heart become blocked, it can result in a heart attack. Heart attacks are serious and can lead to other heart conditions, including heart failure or atrial fibrillation.

Moreover, smoking increases the risk of developing blood clots and affects heart rate and blood pressure. These factors collectively heighten the likelihood of cardiac events and place additional strain on the cardiovascular system.

Would you like to find out How to break free from weed: Here is a comprehensive guide

Optimising Heart Well-being

Here are some steps to help maximise heart health:

• Regular Exercise: Engaging in regular exercise is excellent for boosting heart and cardiovascular health. Aim for 75 minutes of vigorous exercise or 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week to reap the benefits.
• Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial as it impacts the risk of developing heart conditions. A healthy weight reduces strain on the heart.
• Balanced Diet: Consuming a balanced diet is essential for overall health. Incorporate a variety of fruits and vegetables into your meals and be mindful of your intake of sugary, fatty, and deep-fried foods. This helps support healthy cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of artery blockages.
• Quitting Smoking: Smoking is a well-known risk factor for heart disease. Quitting smoking has numerous health benefits and can significantly lower the risk of CAD. This applies to both cigarette and cannabis smoking.
• Addressing Other Health Conditions: Managing underlying conditions that may contribute to heart problems, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension, can help lower the chances of developing CAD.

Conclusion

It is essential to recognise that cannabis can elevate blood pressure and heart rate. Prolonged use of this drug may contribute to the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) and other heart problems. Numerous studies have identified a link between cannabis use and an increased risk of heart failure.

Cannabis use can introduce harmful chemicals into the body, potentially raising the risk of heart disease and heart attacks.

Find out more if Smoking weed affects dental implants

 

Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before using any THC product.