Cannabis Use Disorder may elevate Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Adults

A recent study has revealed that adults diagnosed with cannabis use disorder (CUD) face a significantly higher risk of adverse cardiovascular disease (CVD) events compared to those without this disorder. The relationship between CUD and CVD was found to be dose-dependent, with higher CUD severity associated with a greater risk of CVD.

This study was published in Addiction journal by Anees Bahji and colleagues. The association between cannabis use and adverse health outcomes has been a topic of growing concern. Recent research has suggested links between cannabis use and serious cardiovascular events, including heart attacks, strokes, and various heart conditions. To shed light on this relationship, a study was conducted to investigate the impact of cannabis use disorder (CUD) on cardiovascular disease risk in adults.

This study from Queen's University in Canada, examined data from a cohort of Canadian adults to evaluate the connection between CUD and cardiovascular outcomes. Participants diagnosed with CUD were matched with individuals without the disorder based on gender, birth year, and time of presentation. This matching process resulted in 29,764 pairs or 59,528 individual participants.

• The study observed that 2.4% of individuals with CUD experienced an adverse cardiovascular event, compared to 1.5% of those without the disorder. This indicated a 57% increased risk of CVD events associated with CUD.
  
• Importantly, the strength of the relationship between CUD and CVD risk was found to be dose-dependent. The risk was more pronounced as the severity of CUD increased:
• 32% increased risk for those with one CUD diagnostic code.
• 147% increased risk for those with two to four CUD diagnostic codes.
• 164% increased risk for those with five or more CUD diagnostic codes.

Interestingly, the increased risk for CVD was higher for individuals with no mental health comorbidities, no prescription medications, and fewer than five visits to health services in the last 6 months. The study concluded that while it confirmed a higher risk of CVD in healthy adults with CUD, it could not establish a causal link between CUD and the elevated risk. Nevertheless, the findings suggest the value of using CUD as a basis for targeting preventive interventions and enhancing CVD monitoring.

The 60% increased risk of CVD associated with CUD highlights the potential importance of addressing CUD as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The study authors suggested that this could lead to more extensive testing, screening, and surveillance for CVD among CUD populations. Additional research is needed to clarify the mechanisms involved and guide specific preventive strategies. If a causal connection is confirmed, treating CUD may offer preventive benefits for cardiovascular health.

The study underscores the significance of educating individuals about the potential health risks related to cannabis use and cannabis use disorder, emphasizing the need for public awareness and healthcare measures in addressing this growing concern.

Reference:

Bahji, A., Hathaway, J., Adams, D., Crockford, D., Edelman, E. J., Stein, M. D., & Patten, S. B. Cannabis use disorder and adverse cardiovascular outcomes: A population‐based retrospective cohort analysis of adults from Alberta, Canada. Addiction,2023. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.16337