Hazards of marijuana in heart attack survivors

OK, you survived your first heart attack.

Smoke pot and you’ll lower your chances of surviving the second “big one.”

First, the details.

• 1913 adults hospitalized with a heart attack at 45 US hospitals between 1989 and 1994 were monitored over about 4 years.
• Total death rate during that time was compared to self-reported marijuana use in the preceding year.

And, the results.

• 52 patients reported marijuana use during the prior year, and 317 patients died during follow-up.
• Following their first heart attack, marijuana users had a three-fold higher risk of death due to heart disease, as well as non-heart-related causes of death after the attack.
• The risk was greater for those who smoked more frequently.

The bottom line?
This is a preliminary study in a small group of patients. It was reported as an abstract (not a full article) in the American Heart Journal.

However, the authors concluded, “This provides a hint that there is a true cardiovascular effect of marijuana.”

And the effect is not good.

3/8/08 10:40 JR