Smoking cannabis may damage the heart, early research suggests.
In the first study of its kind, scientists analysed cardiac scans for more than 3,400 healthy older adults to look at the impact of the drug. They found regular weed smokers had an enlarged left ventricle – the heart’s main pumping chamber.
Sufferers are known to be at greater risk of a stroke or heart attack. And the MRI scans also revealed marijuana fans had early signs of heart failure. Experts from Queen Mary University of London said the findings should feed in to the decriminalisation debate. Cannabis is no longer illegal in countries like Portugal, which has invested law enforcement cash into prevention and treatment.
Lead researcher Dr Mohammed Khanji: “We believe this is the first study to systematically report changes in heart structure and function associated with recreational cannabis using cardiac MRI, which is a very sensitive imaging tool. Our findings are not conclusive but the research took place against a backdrop of decriminalisation and legalisation of recreational cannabis use in many countries. We urgently need systematic research to identify the long-term implications of regular consumption of cannabis on the heart and blood vessels. This would allow health professionals and policymakers to improve advice to patients and the wider public.”
The study, published in JACC Cardiovascular Imaging, looked at 3,407 individuals with an average age of 62. Only 152 admitted to having used the drug, with 47 saying they were still regular smokers.
Professor Jeremy Pearson, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “This is the first study to suggest that regularly using cannabis recreationally may affect the heart’s ability to perform its vital role pumping blood around the body. This study looked at a small number of cannabis users. We now urgently need a much larger study looking at how cannabis use impacts our heart health, so that people who do choose to use it can be made fully aware of any and all adverse effects.”
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