In the dynamic landscape of drug use in the U.S., particularly the increasing popularity of edibles, critical questions arise regarding their impact on individuals dealing with heart failure.
As more states consider the legalization of edibles for medical or recreational use, the medical community grapples with understanding whether edibles can offer relief or pose risks for those managing heart failure.
Understanding Edibles
Edibles, a category of cannabis products, offer an alternative to smoking or vaping. Typically consumed through ingestion, edibles contain cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Unlike smoking, edibles eliminate the inhalation of harmful substances found in smoke, potentially offering a different risk profile.
Insights from Medical Experts
Medical experts, such as Dr. Ersilia DeFilippis, a cardiology fellow at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and Dr. Larry Allen, the medical director of the advanced heart failure program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, express reservations about the use of edibles for heart patients.
Dr. DeFilippis emphasizes that emerging information suggests potential harm, drawing attention to potential interactions with medications used for heart failure.
Are Edibles OK for Heart Patients
Despite concerns, some heart failure patients report using edibles and heart medication for symptom relief. Dr. Allen acknowledges that patients have found relief for pain, anxiety, and discomfort related to heart failure symptoms.
However, he and Dr. DeFilippis caution that while individual perceptions of benefit exist, large-scale evidence supporting edibles’ efficacy in managing heart failure symptoms is lacking.
Heart Problems from Edibles
Contrary to perceived benefits, experts point out potential ways in which edibles bad for your heart and might instead worsen heart failure:
- Narrowing Arteries: Similar to smoking, marijuana use may narrow blood vessels around the heart, hindering effective pumping.
- Reduced Pumping Ability: Animal research suggests cannabis could diminish the heart’s ability to contract or pump.
- Aggravation of Uneven Heartbeat: For individuals with irregular heart rhythms, marijuana might exacerbate the instability.
- Increased Blood Pressure: Given that high blood pressure is prevalent in heart failure, marijuana use may further elevate it.
Medication Interactions
The interaction of edibles low blood pressure with medications poses additional challenges. The liver, responsible for breaking down marijuana, can be affected by cannabis use, potentially altering the processing of heart failure medications.
This interaction could disturb the delicate balance of medications crucial for heart patients, including beta-blockers, statins, nitrates, blood thinners, calcium channel blockers, and immunosuppressants for heart transplant recipients.
Risks for the Heart
The American Heart Association emphasizes that cannabis products, including edibles and pvcs, offer no overall benefits for heart health.
The potential links between edibles and heart attack, atrial fibrillation, and heart attack warrant further research, but limitations in studying controlled substances hinder comprehensive investigations.
Final Thoughts
The increasing legalization of edibles encourages more individuals, including heart patients, to openly discuss their use. Open communication between patients and healthcare providers is crucial, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the potential positive and negative effects of edible use for heart patients.
As the dialogue around edibles and heart health evolves, heart patients are encouraged to consult with their doctors to make informed decisions tailored to their specific health needs.
