Research Shows Cannabis Use Does Not Increase Heart Risks in Older Adults with Heart Disease
A groundbreaking study finds that cannabis use does not increase cardiovascular risks among older adults with heart disease, offering reassurance for seniors using cannabis products.
A recent study offers encouraging news for older adults who consume cannabis: using cannabis, whether by smoking, vaping, or edibles, does not appear to raise the risk of heart attacks, strokes, or cardiovascular-related deaths among seniors with existing heart conditions. The investigation focused on 4,285 U.S. veterans aged 66 to 68, diagnosed with coronary artery disease, and enrolled in the THC (Heart and Cannabis) cohort from April 2018 to March 2020.
Participants were questioned about their cannabis consumption within the past 30 days, including the method used—smoking, vaping, or edibles. The researchers followed the participants for an average period of 3.3 years, closely monitoring for major cardiovascular events such as nonfatal and fatal heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular mortality.
Of the total group, 1,015 veterans reported recent cannabis use, while 3,122 had not used cannabis recently. During the follow-up period, there were 563 cardiovascular incidents. Importantly, the data revealed no significant association between cannabis use and an increased risk of these events. In fact, smoking cannabis was linked to a slight, non-statistically significant decrease in risk (hazard ratio of 0.87), and no form of cannabis consumption was associated with a higher likelihood of adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
These findings suggest that cannabis consumption may not independently elevate cardiovascular risks in older adults with heart disease. Nevertheless, health experts advise caution and emphasize the need for further research to explore the long-term effects and impacts across more diverse populations.
The study was published in the journal Circulation and was conducted under the auspices of the Regenstrief Institute. The results underscore the importance of understanding cannabis's health implications in aging populations and could influence future guidelines for cannabis use among individuals with pre-existing heart conditions.
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