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Can Smoking Marijuana Increase The Chances Of A Heart Attack?
Question: My husband started in AF when he was about 46 and now has permanent a-fib for about 10 years. He had a 30 yr hx of alcohol and marijuana use. He quite drinking, but continues smoking pot on and off despite 5 or 6 cardio-ablations and 30 something cardioversions with some success for about 3 months. Its obvious to me that marijuana irritates his heart all the more and may be even interfering with his ability to go back into normal sinus rhythm. Can you explain to him why smoking marijuana is bad for his condition. He doesn't believe the notion that there are cannabinoid recepotors in the heart and that smoking marijuana can interfere with the electrical physiology in the heart and t increase his chances for a heart attack.
Brief Answer:
Following advice...
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.
Marijuana use has the following effects on a healthy person hearts:
1. It will increase the HR causing tachycardia through enhanced sympathetic nervous system (adrenaline release). The enhanced adrenaline release is responsible not only for the tachycardia, but also for frequent atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes and for the reoccurrence of AF even after five ablations procedures.
2. It also causes a slight blood pressure elevation in the supine position and a moderate decrease on standing. This together with tachycardia will cause an increase on cardiac output and the cardiac work. Marijuana use also causes lowering of oxygen carrying capacity. These changes imply a disturbance in the balance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand triggering myocardial ischemia and heart attacks.
These are to principal effects and mechanism that are responsible for his arrhythmias and put his life in great danger for future cardiovascular events (stroke, heart attacks). However keep in mind that dealing with a patient with drug abuse is very difficult and I would like to suggest to discuss with an adictologist about other possibilities to help him quit smoking Marijuana.
Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Following advice...
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.
Marijuana use has the following effects on a healthy person hearts:
1. It will increase the HR causing tachycardia through enhanced sympathetic nervous system (adrenaline release). The enhanced adrenaline release is responsible not only for the tachycardia, but also for frequent atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes and for the reoccurrence of AF even after five ablations procedures.
2. It also causes a slight blood pressure elevation in the supine position and a moderate decrease on standing. This together with tachycardia will cause an increase on cardiac output and the cardiac work. Marijuana use also causes lowering of oxygen carrying capacity. These changes imply a disturbance in the balance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand triggering myocardial ischemia and heart attacks.
These are to principal effects and mechanism that are responsible for his arrhythmias and put his life in great danger for future cardiovascular events (stroke, heart attacks). However keep in mind that dealing with a patient with drug abuse is very difficult and I would like to suggest to discuss with an adictologist about other possibilities to help him quit smoking Marijuana.
Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Is he still at risk for a stroke since he is on blood thinners? He has been to an addiction specialists and received treatment with no luck. Thanks for your time and expertise.
XXXX
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Following advice.
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
The risk for a stroke when the patient is on blood thinner is reduced and statistically non different from normal people. The only risk factor for stroke is substance abuse.
This is why is important that he should quit Marijuana abuse. By doing so he will stabilize his rrhythm and will reduce the risk for cardiovascular events including heart attack and stroke.
Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Following advice.
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
The risk for a stroke when the patient is on blood thinner is reduced and statistically non different from normal people. The only risk factor for stroke is substance abuse.
This is why is important that he should quit Marijuana abuse. By doing so he will stabilize his rrhythm and will reduce the risk for cardiovascular events including heart attack and stroke.
Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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