New Review Explores the Cardiovascular Effects of Marijuana Use

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PASADENA, Calif. — November 21, 2024 — A new review by Dr. Robert A. Kloner, Chief Science Officer and Scientific Director of Cardiovascular Research at Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI), and Dr. Shereif H. Rezkalla examines the complex and often contradictory effects of marijuana on the cardiovascular system.

Published in the Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, the article — “A Review of Cardiovascular Effects of Marijuana Use” — summarizes two decades of research on how cannabinoids influence heart and vascular function through the body’s CB1 and CB2 receptors.

The authors report that:

  • CB1 receptor activation (triggered by exogenous cannabis use) can lead to endothelial dysfunction and increased risk of blood clots, while

  • CB2 receptor activation may have anti-inflammatory and potentially protective effects.

Although some studies link marijuana use with acute cardiac or cerebrovascular events, particularly among young men and concurrent tobacco users, evidence remains inconclusive. The review highlights the urgent need for large, prospective clinical studies to clarify whether cannabis contributes to heart attack, stroke, or peripheral vascular disease risk.

“Given the rapid legalization and growing public use of cannabis products, rigorous clinical research is essential to distinguish anecdotal associations from true cardiovascular risk,” said Dr. Kloner.

Full article: Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, November 2024