Hazards of marijuana in heart attack survivors
OK, you survived your first heart attack.
Smoke pot and you’ll lower your chances of surviving the second “big one.”
First, the details.
- 1913 adults hospitalized with a heart attack at 45 US hospitals between 1989 and 1994 were monitored over about 4 years.
- Total death rate during that time was compared to self-reported marijuana use in the preceding year.
And, the results.
- 52 patients reported marijuana use during the prior year, and 317 patients died during follow-up.
- Following their first heart attack, marijuana users had a three-fold higher risk of death due to heart disease, as well as non-heart-related causes of death after the attack.
- The risk was greater for those who smoked more frequently.
The bottom line?
This is a preliminary study in a small group of patients. It was reported as an abstract (not a full article) in the American Heart Journal.
However, the authors concluded, “This provides a hint that there is a true cardiovascular effect of marijuana.”
And the effect is not good.
3/8/08 10:40 JR