Scientists from Georgia State University have made a concerning discovery about the potential health risks of marijuana. Their study found that using marijuana may triple the risk of dying from high blood pressure.
This insight sheds new light on how marijuana can impact heart health, adding to the growing understanding of its effects on the body.
The research focused on adults aged 20 and older who participated in a health survey in 2005–2006. These participants were asked whether they had ever used marijuana. Those who answered “yes” were categorized as marijuana users.
The researchers then calculated how long each person had been using marijuana by subtracting the age when they first tried it from their current age.
To examine the long-term effects, the team linked this information to death records from the National Centre for Health Statistics up to 2011. The study included 1,213 participants, grouped based on their marijuana and cigarette use.
About 34% of the participants had never used marijuana or cigarettes, while 21% used only marijuana. Another 20% used both marijuana and cigarettes, with smaller percentages falling into other categories.
On average, marijuana users in the study had been using the drug for around 11.5 years. The findings were striking: those who used marijuana had a 3.42 times higher risk of dying from high blood pressure compared to non-users. Furthermore, the risk increased by 1.04 times for each additional year of marijuana use.
The researchers explained that marijuana affects the cardiovascular system by stimulating the sympathetic nervous system.
This can result in a faster heart rate, higher blood pressure, and increased oxygen demand by the heart. These changes can put significant strain on the cardiovascular system, leading to health complications.
Emergency rooms have reported cases of chest pain and heart attacks following marijuana use, highlighting its potential impact on heart health. Surprisingly, the study suggested that marijuana might pose even greater risks to the heart than cigarette smoking.
Published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology and led by Barbara A. Yankey, this research underscores the importance of being cautious about marijuana use, particularly for those concerned about high blood pressure or heart health.
The study serves as a reminder that while marijuana may have some medicinal and recreational uses, it is not without risks. People, especially those with a history of high blood pressure or heart conditions, should be aware of these findings and consider their cardiovascular health when making decisions about marijuana use.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more health information, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
