A recent study conducted by researchers at Georgia State University has revealed a significant link between marijuana use and an increased risk of death from high blood pressure.
The study suggests that individuals who use marijuana may be more than three times as likely to die from hypertension-related causes compared to those who do not use the drug.
The study focused on participants aged 20 and above, who were surveyed in 2005-2006 about their marijuana use.
Participants were asked if they had ever used marijuana, and those who answered “yes” were classified as marijuana users.
The researchers also recorded the age at which participants first tried marijuana and used this information to calculate the duration of marijuana use by subtracting the age of first use from the participant’s current age.
To understand the long-term effects of marijuana on health, the researchers combined this information with mortality data from 2011, provided by the National Centre for Health Statistics. The study included a total of 1,213 participants.
Of these, 34% had never used marijuana or cigarettes, 21% used only marijuana, 20% used both marijuana and cigarettes, 16% used marijuana and were former smokers, 5% were past smokers, and 4% smoked only cigarettes.
On average, participants who used marijuana had been doing so for about 11.5 years. The study’s findings indicated that marijuana users had a significantly higher risk of dying from high blood pressure.
Specifically, marijuana users had a 3.42 times higher risk of death from hypertension compared to non-users. Additionally, for each year of marijuana use, the risk of death from hypertension increased by 1.04 times.
These results suggest that marijuana use could contribute to an increased risk of death from high blood pressure. The findings are concerning but not entirely unexpected, given that marijuana is known to have various effects on the cardiovascular system.
When someone uses marijuana, it stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, which can cause an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and the body’s demand for oxygen. These effects can put extra strain on the heart and blood vessels, leading to serious health risks.
In fact, emergency rooms have reported cases where individuals have experienced chest pain (angina) and heart attacks shortly after using marijuana.
The researchers involved in this study have suggested that the cardiovascular risks associated with marijuana use may be even greater than those already known to be linked with cigarette smoking.
This highlights the importance of being aware of the potential dangers of marijuana use, particularly for those who may already be at risk for heart disease or high blood pressure.
The study’s findings serve as a reminder of the importance of considering the potential health risks associated with marijuana use, especially as its legalization and use continue to rise in many parts of the world.
For those concerned about the effects of cannabis on heart health, it’s worth noting that some studies have linked marijuana use to an increased risk of heart attacks, particularly in certain individuals.
Additionally, for those looking to manage their blood pressure, it’s important to be aware of other potential risks, such as the consumption of black licorice, which has also been shown to cause dangerous spikes in blood pressure.
The research, led by Barbara A. Yankey and her team, was published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
This study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that while marijuana may have some medicinal uses, its impact on heart health should not be underestimated.
As always, it’s important to approach any substance use with caution and be informed about the potential risks.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies that black licorice could cause dangerous high blood pressure, and this common plant nutrient could help reduce high blood pressure.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about how coffee influence your risk of high blood pressure, and results showing this olive oil could reduce blood pressure in healthy people.
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