Smoking weed is not good for the heart, a new scientific statement by the American Heart Association says.
According to the deputy chief science and medical officer for the AHA, smoking or vaping any product, including cannabis, may potentially harm the lungs, heart and blood vessels.
The new statement, based on existing research on the link between cannabis and heart, found that weed may interfere with existing prescribed medications and trigger cardiovascular events. Published in the AHA journal Circulation, a health professional must be consulted before using marijuana, it added. Only legal cannabis products must be used, if at all.
The existing data on the link between cannabis and the heart showcased problems like heart rythm abnormalities, chest pain and other serious conditions. It is even more harmful for those with already existing heart disease.
While all these studies are short term and observational, there is an urgent need for more research, the association said.