Cannabis increases your risk of a stroke
SMOKING cannabis increases your risk of a stroke because it narrows the arteries in your head, scientists have warned.
A study of stroke victims found that 45 per cent of cannabis users had suffered because of blood vessels constricted by plaque in their skulls, compared with just 14 per cent of non-users.
Marijuana users also had strokes at a younger age than those who did not smoke the drug.
It is hoped the discovery could help researchers begin to identify possible mechanisms for a stroke and how to stop it.
The study by the University Hospital of Strasbourg looked at all patients under 45 admitted with an ischemic stroke between 2005 and 2014. Of the 334 patients, 58 were marijuana users.
An ischemic stroke is caused by a blockage that interrupts or reduces blood flow to the brain.
In the cannabis smokers, an ischemic stroke was more likely to be caused by intracranial arterial stenosis – a condition where
‘Lifestyle risk factors’
there is narrowing of the arteries inside the skull caused by a buildup of plaque.
For non-users an embolism – a blood clot formed elsewhere in the body that moves to the brain – was the most common cause of ischemic stroke at 29 per cent. This was the cause of just 14 per cent of strokes among the drug users.
Cannabis smokers were also younger and more likely to be male, smoke tobacco and have other lifestyle risk factors than non-users.
Out of both groups, 18 per cent suffered a long term disability.
Lead author neurologist Dr Valerie Wolff said: ‘Fighting stroke must remain a priority, including in young adults.
‘The first step may be to inform the public regarding the potential occurrence of stroke associated with cannabis and other lifestyle risk factors.’
The study was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Its editor in chief, Dr Valentin Fuster, added: ‘The effects of cannabis have been considered benign for a long time; however, evidence continues to build about the relationship of its use with stroke.’