Smoking weed on a regular basis can raise your risk of a heart attack
Even though weed is now legal in many states across the country, a heart surgeon has taken the time to explain what smoking a joint is actually doing inside your body. His warning adds more context to conversations about the long-term effects of cannabis, especially as more people use it openly.
Earlier this week, health experts highlighted a condition called cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). This illness can bring on serious symptoms, including sharp abdominal pain and long episodes of vomiting that can last for hours or even days.
Some people refer to the condition as “scromiting,” which describes the combination of screaming and vomiting at the same time. Reports from people dealing with CHS show that symptoms can continue for as long as 48 hours, and some have claimed they threw up as many as 30 times in a single day.
CHS has now been included in the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases, although doctors are still trying to figure out what causes it. One of the most talked-about theories suggests that long-term cannabis use may overstimulate receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Many people assume that smoking weed carries fewer risks than using other substances. But one heart surgeon has stepped in to explain why that belief can be misleading and how cannabis use may affect a person’s overall health.
Dr. Jeremy London, MD, who often shares health information on platforms like TikTok, explained: “Let’s all agree on one thing, that lungs have one simple function and that’s to bring air into and out of your lungs. Anything else is potentially harmful.”
Weed is legalised in many US states
He added that he hears from many people who believe marijuana is safe simply because it is “natural.” He emphasized that this assumption doesn’t reflect what he sees in his field or in the operating room.
Dr. London continued: “Smoking marijuana increases your risk of coronary disease and acute heart attack by 1.3 to two times [compared] to those that don’t smoke marijuana regularly.”
He also pointed out that this increased risk mirrors what doctors see in people with high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol. These factors place strain on the heart, which can lead to more serious health problems down the line.
Smoking marijuana can be damaging
The heart surgeon then shared what he has observed in patients who smoke weed regularly. He described the changes he’s seen firsthand, adding: “I have operated on multiple patients over the years that smoke marijuana regularly and I can tell you their lungs are totally black, and it looks like they’ve worked in a coal mine.”
“They’ve got such severe blockages that I have to do bypass surgery. These are folks that have never smoked a cigarette in their lives.”
Other medical experts have echoed his concerns. One study examining the connection between cannabis use and heart attacks found that people who used the drug had a 50 percent higher risk of experiencing a heart attack compared to non-users.
At the same time, the American Lung Association is warning the public “against smoking marijuana because of the risk of damage to the lungs.”
The organization continues to encourage people to consider how smoke of any kind can affect long-term lung health.
