Is Marijuana Weaken the Heart? - Did you know that marijuana not only makes consumers addicted but also can weaken the heart? Even it’s worse, the consumers can suffer a heart attack.
Marijuana comes from the cannabis Sativa plant. These plants contain narcotic substances which can be intoxicating and give calming effect, so it is often abused by their consumers. Marijuana can also give a cause of hallucinations and feelings of pleasure to the consumers.
According to several journals published by the American Heart Association, marijuana may increase the risk of heart problems. However, it still needs further research.
The side effects of marijuana use on the heart can lead to:
- Chest pain
- Heart rhythm disturbances
- Cardiomyopathies
- Heart attack
Here are some points which explain that marijuana use can lead to side effects on the heart:
- Marijuana use can increase the heart rate as much as 100%. The cause is Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) substance, which is an active compound contained in marijuana plants.
- The risk of increased blood pressure may suddenly occur after smoking marijuana. Continuous Increasing blood pressure will effect on the increasingly heavy workload of the heart. In fact, it is possible there will be interference on heart function in the future.
- In blood vessels, marijuana can cause damage. The damage of blood vessels will affect the ability of blood to carry oxygen through the body. If the oxygen supply to the heart area is less, the risk of heart attacks would increase.
- According to the data of French Addictovigilance Network, within the period of 2006-2010, there were nearly 2,000 cases of health problems in marijuana consumers. A total of 30 cases are a case of heart failure; namely heart attacks, blood vessel disorders of heart and heart rhythm disturbances.
- In a research which involving nearly 400 patients showed that there is an increased risk of a heart attack five times in the first hour to marijuana consumers.
