[STUDY] Cannabis Addicts More Vulnerable to Heart Attacks; Researchers Claim Adults With CUD Are 60% More at Risk

Cannabis addicts are claimed to be more vulnerable to heart attacks, heart failure, and other cardiovascular complications.

This alarming detail was revealed by a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center, the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine, and other partner institutes.

Cannabis Addicts More Vulnerable to Heart Attacks

According to Forbes' latest report, the new study was published in the journal Addiction. Involved health experts and scientists analyzed five health databases in Alberta, Canada.

They studied the health of over 30,000 participants with CUD (cannabis use disorder). Researchers partnered these CUD patients with those with no CUD exposure.

Overall, the new study was able to observe 60,000 participants. Involved experts followed these individuals from January 2012 until December 2019.

Based on its findings, the United Press International reported that CUD patients are 60% more at risk of having a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and other cardiovascular complications.

More than 2% of adults with CUD said that they experienced a first-time cardiovascular disease event. On the other hand, only 1.5% of people without CUD had their first-time cardiovascular complication.

"It's important to emphasize that these findings are observational, and they provide insights into patterns within our dataset," said Dr. Anees Bahji, one of the lead authors at the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine.

But, he clarified that the findings they acquired don't establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between cannabis addicts and cardiovascular events.

What To Know About Cannabis Use Disorder

The cannabis use disorder (also called marijuana use disorder) is a condition when an individual can no longer stop using marijuana although smoking pots already negatively affects their health.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that approximately 3 in 10 individuals who use cannabis have CUD. CDC added that cannabis users are around 10% likely to develop CUD.

The health agency further stated that people who started consuming marijuana during their youth/adolescent stages are more at risk of developing cannabis use disorder.

If you are a pot smoker, here are the signs you need to watch out for to know if you already have CUD:

Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when stopping marijuana use.
Craving marijuana
Using marijuana even though it causes problems at home, school, or work.
Giving up important activities with friends and family in favor of using marijuana.
Continuing to use marijuana despite social or relationship problems.
Using marijuana in high-risk situations, such as while driving a car.
Needing to use more marijuana to get the same high.
Continuing to use marijuana despite physical or psychological problems.