A recent study from Georgia State University has revealed a surprising connection between marijuana use and high blood pressure. According to the research, people who use marijuana may have a three times higher risk of dying from high blood pressure compared to those who don’t use it.
This discovery adds to the ongoing debate about the health effects of marijuana, especially as its use becomes more common.
The study looked at adults aged 20 and older. Back in 2005-2006, participants were asked if they had ever used marijuana. Those who answered “yes” were considered marijuana users. To estimate how long each person had been using marijuana, the researchers subtracted the age they first tried it from their current age.
To analyze the long-term effects, the scientists compared this information with death records from the National Center for Health Statistics up to 2011. The study included 1,213 people, and their smoking habits were also considered.
Among them, 34% had never used marijuana or cigarettes, 21% used only marijuana, 20% used both marijuana and cigarettes, 16% had used both in the past, 5% were former smokers, and 4% smoked only cigarettes.
On average, marijuana users in the study had been using it for about 11.5 years. The results showed a concerning pattern—people who used marijuana had a 3.42 times higher risk of dying from high blood pressure compared to those who had never used it. Furthermore, the risk increased by 1.04 times with each additional year of marijuana use.
This finding is significant because marijuana is known to affect the cardiovascular system. When used, it stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, which can lead to an increased heart rate, higher blood pressure, and greater oxygen demand by the heart. Some emergency room visits have involved cases of chest pain and even heart attacks shortly after marijuana use.
Interestingly, the researchers also suggested that marijuana might pose an even greater risk to heart health than cigarette smoking. While cigarette smoking has long been linked to heart disease, the effects of marijuana on blood pressure have not been widely studied until now.
The study, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology and led by researcher Barbara A. Yankey, serves as an important warning.
It suggests that people—especially those with high blood pressure or heart concerns—should be aware of the potential risks associated with marijuana use. As marijuana becomes more accessible in many places, understanding its long-term effects on heart health is crucial for making informed choices.
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 information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about How to eat your way to healthy blood pressure and results showing that Modified traditional Chinese cuisine can lower blood pressure.
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