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Article by , Fresh Toast via Growth Op
The American Heart Association reports that cardiovascular disease (CVD) claims more lives each year in the U.S. than all forms of cancer. In fact, in 2016, CVDs were responsible for one out of three deaths.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes cardiovascular ailments such as stroke and heart attack are now the leading cause of death in the U.S. With almost 50 per cent of the population affected by CVDs, it’s on minds of many researchers to try and understand the complex issue and what other ailments, medicines and activities may help or harm the heart.
Research details the need for candid conversations
With the ever-growing rise of cannabis legalization, researchers unveiled study finding last year aimed at determining if marijuana’s growing use has had any impact on the U.S.’s serious CVD challenge. Recognizing an opportunity for wider dialogue around patients’ weed use, the Journal of the American College of Cardiology published a study in January 2020 by four major health institutions: Columbia University Irving Medical Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Brigham & Women’s Hospital Heart & Vascular Center and Harvard Medical School.
Investigators explored if there was any association between those who have used marijuana and those with cardiovascular diseases. Estimating that more than 2 million Americans have used cannabis and that heart disease is still on the rise, the team recommended that better screening should be in place to identify key risk factors since some studies showed that marijuana could have adverse effects on heart health.
Study authors hope the findings bring to light the importance of better conversations around cannabis use in a clinical setting, which is a vital element in a good care plan. Candid conversations around lifestyle habits such as cannabis use can help doctors and nurses offer more personalized care, prevent situations in which medicines are interacting with one another and offer more safety to patients through better communication.
