Women (but not men) who frequently smoke cannabis have a significantly higher risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared with women who do not use cannabis. According to a new French study.
Approximately 122,000 British people were asked to complete a questionnaire about their lifetime marijuana use. Participants were split into three groups: light users (smoked 10 or fewer times), moderate users (11-100 times), and heavy users (daily or near-daily use for at least several months).
“Heavy cannabis users were younger, reported smoking, and were more likely to consume alcohol, have high blood pressure, [high cholesterol]obesity, diabetes, higher education, and higher income,” the researchers reported.
During the 13-year follow-up period, 2,375 deaths were recorded, of which 1,411 were due to CVD. CVD is the leading cause of death worldwide and includes heart attack, heart failure, arrhythmia, vascular disease, congenital heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure.
The researchers found a “significant” association between heavy cannabis use and CVD mortality among women overall and among current tobacco smokers, but not among men. The findings were released Thursday. It was published in JAMA Network Open.
While the researchers stressed that the link between deaths and cannabis use “remains unclear,” they theorized that key chemicals in cannabis may contribute to inflammation and the narrowing and hardening of arteries. Increased exposure to carbon monoxide from cannabis smoking may be another factor.
Regarding increased risk of death in women only, In animal experiments Women are more sensitive to the acute effects of THC, the active ingredient in cannabis.
The authors of the latest study noted that their study was limited because participants reported their own cannabis use, not confirmed by urine or blood tests, and urged that more research is needed on the topic. The researchers also did not know the exact doses or methods of cannabis consumption used by participants, such as e-cigarettes.
This study Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report Marijuana is the most popular illegal drug in the United States, with 52.5 million people (about 19% of Americans) using marijuana at least once in 2021.
And new research suggests that more people are expected to develop cardiovascular disease in the coming years as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity become more common.
