Rezkalla and Kloner did note that marijuana use has been linked to certain health benefits. However, they added, it has also been associated with a variety of cardiovascular complications, including myocardial infarction, stroke and congestive heart failure. With recreational marijuana use now legal in approximately half of the country, should cardiologists expect the number of patients presenting with these adverse events to increase dramatically?

Many studies have indicated an increase in cardiovascular events, and some indicated an increase in mortality, in people who use marijuana, Rezkalla and Kloner wrote. An important question is, did legalization of marijuana in any states cause an increase in cardiovascular events and/or mortality?

Overall, the duo concluded, there is an urgent need for the National Institutes of Health and other federal agencies to step forward and fund studies that can provide some definitive answers. Learning more about the cardiovascular impact of marijuana legislation will benefit the general public and it may even help influence future policies and industry guidelines.

Click here to read the full manuscript in Cardiology Research.

Visit link:

Cardiologists want better data on how legal marijuana will impact heart health in the US - Cardiovascular Business