Cannabis, sometimes known as marijuana, is a plant with psychoactive and medicinal properties that has been used for centuries. In recent years, there has been a growing corpus of studies on the impact of cannabis on the cardiovascular system.
Cannabis’ tendency to accelerate the heart rate is one of its best-known effects. This is due to the plant’s principal psychoactive component, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), acting on the cardiovascular centers of the brain. The brain’s cannabinoid receptors that THC binds to set off a series of actions that raise the heart rate.
The amount of the rise in heart rate following cannabis usage varies according to various factors, including THC dosage, manner of administration, and the individual’s underlying cardiovascular health. However, after smoking cannabis, the heart rate typically rises by 20-50 beats per minute.
An increase in heart rate can be harmful in patients who have underlying heart disease, such as coronary artery disease or heart failure. This is because it can strain the heart, increasing the chance of a heart attack or other cardiovascular event.
Cannabis can produce additional changes in the cardiovascular system, such as an increase in blood pressure and a drop in blood oxygen levels, in addition to raising the heart rate. These modifications can also be hazardous for people who have underlying cardiac disease.
People with heart conditions should use cannabis with caution for these reasons. If they decide to use it, they should start with a modest dose and regularly monitor their heart rate.
Cannabis usage may raise the risk of heart attack and stroke in the general population, in addition to the dangers for people with heart disease. More study, however, is required to corroborate these findings.
Overall, the data shows that cannabis can harm the cardiovascular system in various ways. These consequences can be especially severe for people who have heart problems. If you have a heart illness, you should see your doctor before consuming cannabis.
Considerations for Cannabis and Heart Health
Cannabis has dose-dependent effects on the heart. The larger the dosage, the faster the heart rate and other cardiovascular abnormalities occur. Cannabis has short-term effects on the heart. The rise in heart rate usually goes down within a few hours. With prolonged usage, tolerance to cannabis’s cardiovascular effects can develop. This implies that those who use cannabis daily may not experience the same elevation in heart rate as they did when they initially started. Consult your doctor if you are concerned about the impact of cannabis on your heart health. They can assist you in assessing your specific risk and advise you on whether cannabis is appropriate for you.
