{"id":16760,"date":"2021-07-21T05:47:33","date_gmt":"2021-07-21T05:47:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ade-medical.z4pby1v9-liquidwebsites.com\/?p=16760"},"modified":"2022-07-05T16:25:16","modified_gmt":"2022-07-05T16:25:16","slug":"marijuana-and-heart-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medical.andonline.com\/marijuana-and-heart-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Marijuana and Heart Health"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n

Marijuana and Heart Health<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div><\/section>\n
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Volume II, Issue VI<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Not too long ago, marijuana as a part of healthcare wasn\u2019t just unbelievable, it was illegal. As marijuana (or cannabis) has been gradually legalized in different states, public opinion has shifted, and its use is being increasingly tolerated across a variety of communities.<\/p>\n

While\u00a0marijuana\u00a0is at least partially legal in most of the country (33 states<\/a>), medical studies are slowly trickling in.\u00a0 It is, after all, hard to\u00a0study something that isn\u2019t legally available everywhere.<\/p>\n

What we do know, though, is that just like most controlled substances, marijuana\u00a0has both pros and cons.\u00a0 Here\u2019s a few of the highs and lows of marijuana and its impact on your heart.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>

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The Highs<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Many\u00a0of marijuana\u2019s benefits are not\u00a0directly\u00a0<\/em>related to the heart.\u00a0 Research shows that cannabis is great at\u00a0managing chronic pain<\/a>, and there\u2019s also evidence that it can help\u00a0increase lung capacity<\/a>,\u00a0decrease anxiety<\/a>,\u00a0keep cancer from spreading<\/a>, and even\u00a0slow the progression<\/a>\u00a0of Alzheimer\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Direct heart health benefits are still in need of more research, but there have been some hopeful findings. Surprisingly, one study found that patients with heart failure are\u00a0less likely to die<\/a>\u00a0if they\u2019ve smoked marijuana.<\/p>\n

If these\u00a0sound like a good reason to pick up a new habit, remember that almost all marijuana research is\u00a0inconclusive<\/a>. That\u2019s something you might also want to keep in mind as you read through some of the downsides of cannabis use.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>

The Lows<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

On the other side of the coin lies a fair amount of risk. Unfortunately, for every benefit, there\u2019s a lot of uncertainty about cannabis and its affect on the heart. Scientists know that marijuana increases a person\u2019s heart rate by\u00a020 to 50 beats per minute<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Mayo Clinic (and other research) has found that cannabis can result in\u00a0decreased blood pressure<\/a>\u00a0during usage and increased blood pressure afterwards. Both ends of the spectrum can be very dangerous. Additionally, some research suggests that marijuana users are\u00a0three times more likely<\/a>\u00a0to die from hypertension than non-users.<\/p>\n

Those who with heart disease should approach marijuana with extra caution. Studies have found a correlation between marijuana usage, heart disease, and a faster onset of\u00a0chest pain<\/a>\u00a0when under stress.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>

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The Verdict<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

The bad news is there\u2019s a lot we\u00a0don\u2019t know yet about marijuana — more research is still needed.<\/p>\n

But there is good news, too. As marijuana becomes more widely legalized, we are beginning to understand cannabis a little bit better.<\/p>\n

For now, treat marijuana like you would any controlled substance. If you\u2019re concerned, speak to your doctor. They can help determine what makes the most sense for your heart and overall health.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>