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Cannabis use is associated with prevalent coronary artery disease
Travis M Skipina1, Nikhil Patel1, Bharathi Upadhya2
1Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, USA.
Insights
Cannabis use is linked to a higher likelihood of prevalent coronary artery disease (CAD). This study suggests potential cardiovascular risks associated with cannabis consumption, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Cannabis Research
Background:
- Cannabis use is linked to acute coronary syndrome, but its association with prevalent coronary artery disease (CAD) is not well-established.
- Observational studies suggest a potential cardiovascular risk, necessitating further research into cannabis's impact on existing CAD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between cannabis use and prevalent coronary artery disease (CAD).
- To hypothesize that cannabis use is associated with an increased likelihood of prevalent CAD.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 12,543 participants from The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
- Self-reported cannabis use and physician-diagnosed prevalent CAD.
- Multivariable logistic regression was used to test the association between cannabis use and CAD.
Main Results:
- 53.1% of participants reported ever using cannabis; 1.1% had prevalent CAD.
- Ever cannabis users showed a 90% increased odds of CAD (OR: 1.90, p=0.003).
- Current and heavy cannabis users also demonstrated significantly increased odds of prevalent CAD.
Conclusions:
- Cannabis use is significantly associated with prevalent coronary artery disease (CAD).
- Findings highlight potential cardiovascular risks of cannabis use, especially as its acceptance grows globally.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the cardiovascular implications of cannabis consumption.
Background:
Cannabis is associated with risk of acute coronary syndrome in observational studies. However, its association with prevalent coronary artery disease (CAD) remains unclear. We hypothesized that cannabis use is associated with prevalent CAD.
Methods:
This analysis included 12,543 participants (age 39.3 ± 11.6 years, 48.8% male, 35.3% Caucasians) from The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Cannabis use was self-reported. Prevalent CAD was defined by physician diagnosis. The association between cannabis use and CAD was tested for using multivariable logistic regression.
Results:
About 53.1% (n = 6,650) of participants were ever cannabis users and 1.1% (n = 137) had prevalent CAD. Ever (versus never) cannabis users had 90% increased odds of CAD [OR (95% CI): 1.90 (1.24 - 2.93), p = 0.003]. Those who had used cannabis at least once per month for at least one year had 68% increased odds of CAD [OR (95% CI): 1.68 (1.02-2.77), p = 0.04]. Current cannabis users had near 98% increased odds of CAD [OR (95% CI): 1.98 (1.11 - 3.54), p = 0.02]. Similar results were seen with heavy cannabis users [OR (95% CI): 1.99 (1.02 - 3.89), p = 0.045]. These results were consistent in subgroups stratified by race, gender, hypertension, obesity, COPD, hyperlipidemia, tobacco smoking status, and diabetes.
Conclusions:
Cannabis use is associated with prevalent CAD. This finding emphasizes the potential harmful effects of cannabis use on cardiovascular health and highlights the need for further research as it becomes more accepted at both a national and global level.
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