A new study from Gentofte University Hospital in Denmark has found that using medical marijuana to treat long-term pain might slightly raise the risk of developing heart rhythm problems, also called arrhythmias.
Although the increase in risk is small, it raises some concerns about the safety of marijuana, even when used for medical reasons.
The researchers looked at health records from a national database in Denmark, including 1.6 million people who were being treated for chronic pain. These people had pain caused by things like cancer, arthritis, or nerve problems. Out of all these patients, about 4,600 had filled at least one prescription for medical cannabis.
The study showed that people who used medical marijuana were 64% more likely to experience an arrhythmia within six months of their first prescription, compared to those who did not use marijuana.
This might sound alarming, but the actual difference in numbers was small. Less than 1% (0.9%) of the marijuana users developed arrhythmia, while 0.5% of the non-users did.
In Denmark, medical marijuana can come in different forms. Some people use oral solutions and sprays that contain CBD, which is a chemical found in marijuana that doesn’t cause a high. Others drink herbal teas that have both CBD and THC, the chemical that causes a high.
There’s also a drug called dronabinol, which is a man-made version of THC. All these types were included in the study, and the risk of arrhythmia was similar for all of them.
The study did not look at exactly why marijuana might affect the heart, but other research shows that marijuana can change how the heart works. Chemicals like THC and CBD can affect heart rate, blood pressure, and how the blood clots. These changes might make some people more likely to develop irregular heartbeats.
Heart rhythm problems can be harmless, like a skipped beat now and then, or they can be more serious and lead to things like stroke or heart failure. The study did not say what kinds of arrhythmias were found, so it’s unclear how dangerous the heart problems might be.
Another thing to consider is that pain itself can put stress on the body, which may affect the heart. Many of the people in the study were also using opioids, which are strong pain medications. It’s possible that the level of pain or the use of other medicines also played a part in the results.
This research adds to the ongoing debate about marijuana’s safety. While it can help ease long-lasting pain, it may come with some risks, especially for people who already have heart problems. That’s why it’s important for patients and doctors to talk openly about treatment choices and to keep an eye on possible side effects.
More research is needed to find out if marijuana is linked to specific types of arrhythmias or if other health factors are involved. As more people use marijuana for medical or recreational reasons, it’s important to fully understand how it affects the body.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk, and Vitamin K2 could help reduce heart disease risk.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about how to remove plaques that cause heart attacks, and results showing a new way to prevent heart attacks, strokes.
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