Explained: Correlation of Cannabis Use and CAD

Cannabis use is not without risks. Each person's body is different. Scientists have recently found there is a high, increased correlation between Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and frequent cannabis consumption.?

What is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?

According to the?Mayo Clinic?CAD is a very common heart condition. The major blood vessels that supply the heart (coronary arteries) attempt to send enough blood, oxygen, and energy to the heart muscle.?

Cholesterol (plaque) built up in the heart arteries and inflammation from many factors are commonly known as causes of CAD. Some of the factors that are known to contribute to CAD are stress, a high saturated fat diet, and certain genetic predispositions to heart disease.

When the heart doesn't get the oxygen or nutrients it needs because of narrowing (for whatever reason), it gets starved. It ceases to work properly and if an artery is blocked fully, it can cause a heart attack.?

Symptoms of narrowing blood vessels can include chest pressure, shortness of breath, chest pain (angina), and fatigue. These symptoms can develop over long periods or in some cases, the person can be unaware that they are developing a serious condition.?

Latest Study Linking Cannabis Use and CAD?

Stanford University conducted a recent study of the relationship between cannabis use and coronary artery disease. This study will be presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session Together With the World Congress of Cardiology, on March 5, 2023. This study used data gathered from 175,000 patients from the All of Us Research Program of the National Institutes of Health.

In this study, consumption methods were not taken into consideration. After adjusting the data for age, sex, and major cardiovascular risks, the study determined that regular users of cannabis have a 34% higher chance of developing CAD than others that have never tried it.

What Have Previous Studies Shown?

Previous studies from Stanford University have indicated that THC when smoked, may have a causal relationship with coronary artery disease. When smoked, THC interacts with the central nervous system, the heart, and blood vessels. The 'perfect storm' could be set,?laying the groundwork for increasing inflammation and plaque build-up with repeated use of cannabis, especially in younger people.

Is Cannabis Safe For Heart Patients?

Cannabis use is more out in the open and mainstream than ever before. Open communication is key for your doctor to be able to monitor any possible developing health problems. Patients should be extremely cautious and notify their physician or healthcare team of any cannabis use and new developing symptoms.

What Could Future Studies Bring?

The gates are standing open for scientific cannabis exploration. Even though cannabis has been around for millennia, there are many elements of cannabis to be learned that we never knew existed. There are sure to be many more intricate pieces to discover regarding cannabis and how it interacts with the human body.

“From a scientific standpoint, these findings are exciting because they suggest there might be new drug targets and mechanisms we can explore to take control of this pathway going forward,” Paranjpe said.

Conclusion?

Evidence is showing that there is a strong connection between regular cannabis use and coronary artery disease. One of the largest scientific studies to date has shown a relationship that needs further exploration.?

Keep regular medical checkups, be honest with your doctor about any substances you are consuming, and follow their recommendations. These steps can be some of the most powerful tools to have in your arsenal to combat coronary artery disease.?

Read Full Detailed Article here: https://bit.ly/3Zogapv