The last thing young adults who smoke marijuana want to learn is that it may cause them a stroke or arrhythmia.
According to a new study presented at American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2019, which concluded Monday, young people who use cannabis frequently are more than twice as likely to have a stroke as non-users.
Another study found that those diagnosed with cannabis use disorder were found more likely to be hospitalized for arrhythmia, a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat.
Over 43,000 participants between the ages of 18 and 24 were analyzed by researchers at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia in the first study. Around 14 percent of the pool reported having used cannabis in the past 30 days.
The study, which was published in the AHA journal Stroke, found that those who used cannabis at least 10 days out of the month, but did not use tobacco, were nearly two and a half times more likely to have a stroke than non-users. Those who smoked cigarettes or e-cigarettes in addition to cannabis were three times more likely to have a stroke than non-users.
The study’s authors noted that cannabis users are also more likely to be heavy drinkers, which may influence the risk of stroke.
“Young cannabis users, especially those who use tobacco and have other risk factors for strokes, such as high blood pressure, should understand that they may be raising their risk of having a stroke at a young age,” remarked lead study author Tarang Parekh, M.B.B.S., M.S.. Parekh is a health policy researcher at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.
“Physicians should ask patients if they use cannabis and counsel them about its potential stroke risk as part of regular doctor visits,” he added, per Fox 5 DC.
