VIDEO: ‘Increasing evidence’ shows link between cannabis use and heart attack

BOSTON — In this video, an expert reviews current topics in addiction medicine, like ties between cannabis use and cardiovascular health, buprenorphine access and pre-operative alcohol assessments.

According to Charlie Reznikoff, MD, FACP, FASAM, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota, there is “increasing evidence that cannabis use causes cardiovascular events,” such as “heart attacks, atrial fibrillation and worsened angina.”

“I don’t think we’ve ever recognized that fully,” he said. “But what we’re seeing now is that Baby Boomers are aging up ... gaining more medical illness and returning to cannabis use.”

While Baby Boomers may have used cannabis when they were younger, the difference now is “they have more medical problems,” Reznikoff, who presented at the ACP Internal Medicine Meeting, said.

Reznikoff also discussed the prevalence of “significant” racial disparities in addiction medicine, which “are resulting in disparities in death rates.”

“It’s really important for us to treat everyone, and to recognize that there are racial disparities,” he said.

Reference:

• Reznikoff C. Addiction medicine: What's new in the clinic? Presented at: ACP Internal Medicine Meeting; April 18-20, 2024; Boston.