Cannabis, also called “marijuana,” is a plant that has been used for hundreds of years for its psychoactive and medical effects. Over the past few years, there has been more and more study into how weed affects the heart.
One of the best-known effects of marijuana is that it makes your heart beat faster. This is because tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive substance in the plant, affects the heart and blood vessels in the brain. When THC links to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, it sets off a chain reaction that makes the heart beat faster. The amount that a person’s heart rate speeds up after using weed depends on many things, such as how much THC they take, how they take it, and how healthy their heart is. In general, though, when people smoke weed, their heart rate usually increases by 20–50 beats per minute. People with heart disease like coronary artery disease or heart failure should be careful if their heart rate increases. This is because it can put extra stress on the heart and raise the risk of a heart attack or other circulatory event.
Existing Heart Conditions
Cannabis can also cause other changes in the circulatory system, like a rise in blood pressure and a drop in the amount of oxygen in the blood, in addition to making the heart beat faster. These changes can also hurt people who already have heart problems. People with heart problems should be careful about using weed because of these things. If they decide to use it, they should start with a small amount and closely monitor their heart rate. There is some proof that people who don’t already have heart disease may also be more likely to have a heart attack or stroke if they use marijuana. But more study needs to be done to prove these results. The data shows that weed can hurt the cardiovascular system in some ways. These effects can be very dangerous for people with heart problems. Before using weed, you should talk to your doctor if you have heart problems.
Cannabis and Heart Health
The effects of weed on the heart depend on how much you use. The heart rate and other changes in the heart are worse when the amount is higher. The effects of marijuana on the heart don’t last long. Most of the time, the increased heart rate goes away after a few hours. With continued use, the effects of weed on the heart can become less noticeable. This means that people who use weed often might not feel their heart rate speed up as much as they did when they started. Talk to your doctor if you are worried about how marijuana might affect your heart health. They can help you figure out what your risks are and give you advice on whether or not you should use weed.
