High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a condition where the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls is too strong over a long period of time. Normally, a healthy blood pressure reading is about 120 over 80. If someone’s blood pressure is 130 over 80 or higher and stays that way, they are considered to have high blood pressure.
This condition is very common and can be dangerous if not treated. Over time, it can damage the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious health problems. Many things can cause high blood pressure.
These include getting older, having family members with high blood pressure, being overweight, not getting enough exercise, eating too much salt, drinking alcohol, smoking, stress, and some medical conditions.
A recent study from Georgia State University found something new: using marijuana might increase the risk of dying from high blood pressure. The researchers looked at data from people aged 20 and older. They asked these people whether they had ever used marijuana. If someone answered yes, they were counted as a marijuana user.
What they found was striking. People who had used marijuana had a risk of dying from high blood pressure that was more than three times higher than those who had never used it. The risk also seemed to go up the longer someone had used marijuana.
This study suggests that marijuana may have harmful effects on the heart and blood vessels. It’s known that marijuana can raise heart rate and blood pressure shortly after it’s used. It can also make the heart work harder by increasing how much oxygen it needs. In some cases, people have reported chest pain and even heart attacks after using marijuana.
The researchers believe the dangers of marijuana for heart health might even be greater than the risks from smoking cigarettes. This challenges the common belief that marijuana is a safer option.
Of course, the study does not prove that marijuana directly causes high blood pressure deaths, but the strong link found between marijuana use and increased risk suggests a cause for concern. More research is needed to fully understand how marijuana affects the heart and blood pressure, especially as more people use it for both medical and recreational reasons.
The message from this study is clear: people should be cautious about using marijuana, especially if they already have or are at risk for high blood pressure. Managing blood pressure through a healthy lifestyle—like staying active, eating well, and avoiding harmful substances—remains one of the best ways to protect the heart and live a longer, healthier life.
This research was led by Barbara A. Yankey and published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that may increase high blood pressure risk, and drinking green tea could help lower blood pressure.
For more information about high blood pressure, please see recent studies about what to eat or to avoid for high blood pressure, and 12 foods that lower blood pressure.
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