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What Are The Repercussions Of Smoking Marijuna With History Of Cardiac Arrest?
Posted on
Thu, 8 Sep 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 8 Sep 2016
Answered on
Wed, 28 Sep 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : Hello there, my son at 18 just recently had cardiac arrest .
I'm sure u possibly know what's coming next ~ at his young age , he's just angry which is to be expected about the whole situation . He doesn't quite get the severity of this miracle he's survived ; on that note , He has a difibulator put in his left side by the rib cage . He will not stop smoking cigs or weed and I've heard of some alcohol use . Now , I know you might think me to be ignorant to ask because this combination is just a death warrant to me . But for the benifits of you being the educated professional doctor COULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME , if at all I can get through to my son ...is there one any worse then the other? Are cigs worse then weed etc. Effects of alcohol?
I'm sure u possibly know what's coming next ~ at his young age , he's just angry which is to be expected about the whole situation . He doesn't quite get the severity of this miracle he's survived ; on that note , He has a difibulator put in his left side by the rib cage . He will not stop smoking cigs or weed and I've heard of some alcohol use . Now , I know you might think me to be ignorant to ask because this combination is just a death warrant to me . But for the benifits of you being the educated professional doctor COULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME , if at all I can get through to my son ...is there one any worse then the other? Are cigs worse then weed etc. Effects of alcohol?
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that both marijuhana (weed) and smoking can cause severe consequences on the cardio-vascular system.
You should know that marijuana can cause short term and long term cardio-vascular changes. From different studies it has been shown that marijuana can increase up to 5 times the risk for a heart attack during the first hours from taking it.
It can also cause euforia, agitation by stimulating the central nervous system, leading to increased blood pressure and heart rate, increasing the risk for lifethreatening cardiac arrhythmia.
While, if used for a prolonged time, it can cause chronic changes in the blood vessels, causing endotelial dysfunction, narrowing and obstruction. There is also an increased risk for stroke.
From the other hand smoking, can cause severe gradual changes in the blood vessels, leading to progressive narrowing and occlusion (causing heart attack and stroke).
The combination of smoking and marijuana is really dangerous as these adverse effects are summarized and aggravate each other, leading to an increased short and long term risk of heart attack, lifethreatening cardiac arrhythmia and stroke.
I would also mention the psychological addiction and the changes in the personality associated to the chronic intake of cigarettes and weed.
So, I would recommend stopping them both. There is no compromise you can make, as he has already had a cardiac arrest until now.
Regarding alcohol intake, I would like to explain that when taken in small doses (50mg a day) it has shown to have benefits in the cardio-vascular system.
While heavy drinking is associated to an increased cardiovascular risk for heart attack and stroke.
Coming to this point, I would recommend consulting with a specialist of this field (toxicologist) and discuss the possible treatment options. There are many institutions which can help persons like your son, in order to change these bad habits and turn back to a normal life.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Feel free to ask me again if you have any other questions!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that both marijuhana (weed) and smoking can cause severe consequences on the cardio-vascular system.
You should know that marijuana can cause short term and long term cardio-vascular changes. From different studies it has been shown that marijuana can increase up to 5 times the risk for a heart attack during the first hours from taking it.
It can also cause euforia, agitation by stimulating the central nervous system, leading to increased blood pressure and heart rate, increasing the risk for lifethreatening cardiac arrhythmia.
While, if used for a prolonged time, it can cause chronic changes in the blood vessels, causing endotelial dysfunction, narrowing and obstruction. There is also an increased risk for stroke.
From the other hand smoking, can cause severe gradual changes in the blood vessels, leading to progressive narrowing and occlusion (causing heart attack and stroke).
The combination of smoking and marijuana is really dangerous as these adverse effects are summarized and aggravate each other, leading to an increased short and long term risk of heart attack, lifethreatening cardiac arrhythmia and stroke.
I would also mention the psychological addiction and the changes in the personality associated to the chronic intake of cigarettes and weed.
So, I would recommend stopping them both. There is no compromise you can make, as he has already had a cardiac arrest until now.
Regarding alcohol intake, I would like to explain that when taken in small doses (50mg a day) it has shown to have benefits in the cardio-vascular system.
While heavy drinking is associated to an increased cardiovascular risk for heart attack and stroke.
Coming to this point, I would recommend consulting with a specialist of this field (toxicologist) and discuss the possible treatment options. There are many institutions which can help persons like your son, in order to change these bad habits and turn back to a normal life.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Feel free to ask me again if you have any other questions!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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