Vol. 11/ Núm. 2 2024 pág. 2268

https://doi.org/10.69639/arandu.v11i2.418

Association Between Marijuana Use and Cardiovascular

Diseases in an Adult Population in the United States in 2023

Asociación entre el consumo de marihuana y las enfermedades cardiovasculares en una

población adulta en Estados Unidos en 2023

Juan Carlos Navarrete Pérez

Karolina Suasnavas Arteaga

anyarelidiaz@gmail.com

https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0955-758X

Universidad de Buenos Aires UBA-Posgrado Cuidados Intensivos

crixs_cno@hotmail.com

Artículo recibido: 20 octubre 2024 - Aceptado para publicación: 26 noviembre 2024

Conflictos de intereses: Ninguno que declarar

marijuana users aged 45-54 years (OR=12.40, CI=6.38-24.07), American Indian individuals

(OR=1.74, CI=1.49-2.03), and tobacco users (OR=1.48, CI=1.39-1.57) have a higher risk of

cardiovascular disease. After reviewing this study, it is clear that further research is needed to

Vol. 11/ Núm. 2 2024 pág. 2269

clarify the association between marijuana use and cardiovascular pathology. Conclusion: This

study highlights the link between marijuana use and cardiovascular health but calls for further

research to clarify its impacts. Findings support targeted public health efforts for at-risk groups.

Keywords: cannabis, cardiovascular diseases, heart attack, stroke

RESUMEN

de los Estados Unidos. Metodología: El estudio empleó un diseño de estudio observacional

Conductuales (BRFSS) de 2023 como fuente de datos. Resultados: El estudio reveló que los

(OR=1,74, IC=1,49-2,03) y los consumidores de tabaco (OR=1,48, IC=1,39-1,57) tienen un

necesita más investigación para aclarar la asociación entre el consumo de marihuana y la patología

cardiovascular. Conclusión: Este estudio destaca la relación entre el consumo de marihuana y la

respaldan los esfuerzos de salud pública dirigidos a los grupos en riesgo.

Todo el contenido de la Revista Científica Internacional Arandu UTIC publicado en este sitio está disponible bajo

licencia Creative Commons Atribution 4.0 International.

Vol. 11/ Núm. 2 2024 pág. 2270

approximately 183 million consumers by the conclusion of 2014, succeeded by amphetamines

(United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2018). Between 2002 and 2019, the annual

prevalence of cannabis use among US adults rose from 10.4% to 18.0%, while daily or nearly

daily usage (300+ days per year) escalated from 1.3% to 3.9%. The increasing diagnosis of

cannabis use disorder indicates that the rise in usage extends beyond mere self-reported

consumption (Han et al., 2020; Hasin et al., 2019). Simultaneously, opinions regarding the

contributing to numerous needless fatalities (CDC, 2020).

medicinal and recreational uses, with expectations for this number to rise in alignment with

worldwide trends (Nargis et al., 2024). Despite substantial advancements in the management of

cardiovascular disease in the United States over the past decade, it remains the foremost cause of

morbidity and mortality among many racial, ethnic, and cultural groups. The government projects

an annual expenditure over 200 billion dollars on professional services, medications, and

diminished productivity. This significant expense mostly indicates a deficiency in enthusiasm for

executing a thorough array of strategies aimed at the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease

(Raj et al., 2023). Information about the correlation between marijuana consumption and

Endocannabinoid receptors are pervasive within the cardiovascular system (Pacher et al., 2018).

Tetrahydrocannabinol, the active constituent of cannabis, exerts hemodynamic effects and may

lead to syncope, stroke, and myocardial infarction (Page et al., 2020; Ghasemiesfe et al., 2020;

Richards et al., 2020). Smoking, the primary mode of cannabis consumption, may present

heightened cardiovascular risks due to the inhalation of particulate matter, Moreover, research

with rodents has shown that exposure to secondhand cannabis smoke is linked to endothelial

Vol. 11/ Núm. 2 2024 pág. 2271

dysfunction, which is a precursor to cardiovascular disease (Khoj et al., 2023). Previous research

on the relationship between cannabis consumption and cardiovascular outcomes has been

constrained by the scarcity of people who use cannabis often.Seven, twelve, thirteen Furthermore,

the majority of research have focused on younger people with a low risk of cardiovascular disease,

therefore lacking the statistical power to identify a correlation between cannabis usage and

atherosclerotic heart disease outcomes (Jeffers et al., 2024; Page et al., 2024).

affect the study, such as whether participants are exclusively marijuana users or engage in poly

substance use. Another factor limiting these studies is that the literature often describes outcomes

like hospitalizations or recurrences; however, the association remains weak due to the lack of

detailed data on consumption patterns, such as dose, frequency, potency, and genetic

personal health behaviors, physical activity, knowledge, and beliefs that influence the situation.

The use of tobacco or marijuana likely affects an individual's cardiovascular health. The

interpersonal level encompasses U constructs, including families, friends, and peers, who either

support or discourage risky behaviors. Individuals who have friends or family members using

tobacco products may be at an increased risk of adopting similar behaviors. At the community

level, resource availability, community standards, and the physical environment can either

facilitate or obstruct Healthy Asset models. Due to limited access to healthcare and essential

resources for a healthy lifestyle, individuals in low SES communities are at increased risk for

diseases. The policy level is the final tier, encompassing both the structural and evidential aspects

of policy within the community. Legislation and regulations regarding substances such as tobacco

relationship between marijuana and MI and CVD among US adults. More specifically, the current

investigation compared exclusive marijuana users to non-users, rather than extending the

comparison to poly-substance users. Besides meaningful variables, it also look into account

format of consumption, how often it takes place and how potent a variable it is.

Vol. 11/ Núm. 2 2024 pág. 2272

Aim of study

Myocardial Infarction (MI) and Cerebrovascular Disease (CVD) related to marijuana use

(exclusively marijuana). This study will consider variables such as the form of consumption and

include a sufficiently representative sample size.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study design and setting

criteria comprised adults aged 18 to 55 who reported their marijuana usage and history of

Myocardial Infarction (MI). Participants who expressed uncertainty ("unsure") or declined to

respond to pertinent questions were omitted from the study.

Study variables

variables were the occurrence of cardiovascular illnesses, namely Myocardial Infarction (MI) and

Cerebrovascular Disease (CVD). Confounding variables encompassed age, sex, race, tobacco

consumption, and body mass index (BMI).

Statistical analysis

both the inquiries regarding a prior diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction and the occurrence

of a cerebrovascular stroke. Approximately 112,942 individuals within this population responded

to the inquiry concerning the number of days they consumed marijuana in the preceding 30 days.

Ultimately, respondents who answered 'unsure' or declined to respond were eliminated, yielding

Vol. 11/ Núm. 2 2024 pág. 2273

30 days. Table 1 indicates that the prevalence of marijuana usage was markedly greater among

those aged 25 to 34 (21.71% compared to 8.38%), among males (60.53% versus 43.21%), and

among Black individuals (11.12% versus 8.92%). Marijuana users had a higher prevalence of

current tobacco use (57.2% compared to 30.83%). Individuals with a body mass index classified

as normal weight had more marijuana consumption (37.77% compared to 28.85%). The

prevalence of cardiovascular disease was lower in marijuana users (8.27% compared to 9.92%).

Vol. 11/ Núm. 2 2024 pág. 2274

Table 2

Vol. 11/ Núm. 2 2024 pág. 2275

Vol. 11/ Núm. 2 2024 pág. 2276

lifestyle variables. In their examination of the NHANES data, they determined that marijuana

usage does not significantly influence cardio metabolic profiles, suggesting non-atherosclerotic

pathways for marijuana-related cardiovascular disease indicators. The crude odds ratio (OR) of

1.14 (confidence interval [CI] = 1.02–1.27) was statistically significant at p = 0.028; however,

subsequent adjustments for potential confounders including age, sex, race, and tobacco use were

made (Alhassan and Howard, 2022). Conversely, Shah (2021) indicated that present daily and

past thirty-day marijuana usage substantially heightened the risk of myocardial infarction and

stroke. This discrepancy may stem from varying study samples and definitions of marijuana

consumption. Our research was limited to the preceding 30 days of marijuana consumption,

whereas Shah's analysis may have included individuals with more extensive cannabis exposure.

This suggests that the characteristics and degree of marijuana consumption, as well as the method

in the present research did not establish a direct correlation between marijuana use and

cardiovascular disease (CVD) after accounting for confounding variables, suggesting that the

relationship between marijuana use and cardiovascular outcomes may not be simple and could be

influenced by other lifestyle or demographic factors.

compared to existing research on marijuana use and cardiovascular health. In a 2020 study Burt

et al. found no significant association between marijuana consumption in young adulthood and

CAD when controlling for other risk factors. This suggests that young individuals without other

underlying conditions may not face significant cardiovascular risks from marijuana use in the

near future. This is significant for adolescent patients, as their clinical choices indicate that, while

is gradually increasing in all age groups. Although there are less direct effects of marijuana use

on cardiovascular system among adolescents, early use of marijuana may result in increased

health risks factors over time including those associated with cardiovascular disease where the

use is complemented by other unhealthy practices (Latif and Garg, 2020).