Study links cannabis prescription to risk of heart disease

linked to a study cannabis put for him chronic pain is associated with a higher risk of heart rhythm disorderaccording to a survey by Gentofte University Hospital (Denmark), presented in 2022 ESC Congressof the European Society of Cardiology, held in Barcelona.

Study author, cardiologist Nina Nowharveshiof Gentofte University Hospital (Denmark), recalls that “the chronic pain it’s a growing problemAccording to the Danish health authorities, 29% of adults Dane over 16 told chronic pain in 2017in front of 2000. 19% in, Medical cannabis was approved in January 2018 on a trial basis in Denmark, meaning doctors can prescribe it for chronic pain if all other measures, including opioids, prove insufficient. Safety data is sparse, so this study investigated cardiovascular side effects medical cannabis, and arrhythmia In particular, heart rhythm disturbances have already been found in recreational cannabis users,” he adds.

The researchers identified the total 1.6 million patients diagnosed suffering from chronic pain in Denmark between 2018 and 2021. among these, 4,931 patients (0.31%) At least one . claimed hemp recipe (Dronabinol 29%, cannabinoids 46%, cannabidiol 25%). Each user was matched for age, gender, and pain diagnosis with five nonusers, who served as controls. Users and controls were followed for 180 days and their risks of developing new cardiovascular diseases were compared.

The average age of the participants was 60 years old and 63% were women. study report, for the first time, chronic pain condition Number of medical cannabis users in Denmark. 17.8% had cancer, 17.1% had arthritis, 14.9% had back pain, 9.8% had neurological diseases, 4.4% had headaches, 3.0% had complicated fractures and 33.1% had other diagnoses.

Arrhythmias are more likely to appear in cannabis users

full risk of arrhythmias was new 0.86% among medical cannabis users in front of 0.49% among non-consumers, which represents a relative risk of 1.74. The risks of recent-onset acute coronary syndrome and heart failure did not differ between the two groups. The results were similar for each chronic pain condition and for each type of medical cannabis.

Nowharvesh explains that his study found that medical cannabis users “He had a 74% increased risk” have a heart rhythm disorder Compared to non consumers, however, the absolute risk difference was modest. It should be kept in mind that a high ratio People in the cannabis group were taking other painkillers, especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opiates, and antiepileptics, and we cannot rule out that this may explain the increased likelihood of arrhythmias.