From Pharmacy Drug Guide
Research on marijuana and high blood pressure has concluded that marijuana can aggravate hypertension in some individuals. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, elevated blood pressure is one of the immediate signs of marijuana. Some studies that reviewed marijuana and its effect on blood pressure suggest that pot smokers may quadruple their risk of heart attack directly after consuming marijuana. Blood vessels located in the eyes can expand with marijuana use, and the heart rate can go up by 20-50 beats a minute.
|Other names||Weed, pot, green, chronic, reefer, others|
|Manufacturer||Grown by independent sources|
|Legal status||State laws vary. Marijuana is illegal in most states, though it is approved for medical use in some. Federal law prohibits marijuana possession or use in all states.|
|Uses||Used as a psychedelic drug as well as a medicine|
|Effect on blood pressure||Marijuana increases blood pressure shortly after smoking in some people|
|Disclaimer||The information provided by PharmacyDrugGuide.com is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Do not take any action based on the information on this page without consulting a physician.|
Marijuana is widely considered to be an illegal drug, yet it is used legally for medical purposes in some states. A doctor's recommendation is required in these cases, and the drug is still not legal under federal law.
Marijuana is produced by drying the flowers and leaves of the Cannabis sativa plant, and then it is usually smoked in a joint (marijuana cigarette) or from a pipe or water pipe (known as a bong). Sometimes a vaporizer is used, which heats up the marijuana to just below smoking point, after which the vapors are inhaled. It is also cooked or baked into foods and then eaten. The THC in marijuana produces a "high" effect, and also gives the drug its medicinal properties.
About Marijuana and Blood Pressure
Marijuana increases the heart rate, which raises blood pressure. In some individuals, blood pressure typically goes up immediately after marijuana is used, increasing the risk of potentially dangerous cardiovascular events.
However, marijuana also dilates blood vessels, which may lead to orthostatic hypotension: an abrupt lowering of blood pressure caused by changing position which may lead to dizziness or fainting. Studies have shown that long-term cannabis users may experience an increase in blood pressure if they stop the use abruptly.
Side Effects of Drugs
About High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a problem for roughly a third of all adults; another 30% suffer from prehypertension, meaning they have higher than normal blood pressure that does not yet fall into the category of high pressure requiring treatment. Prehypertension is considered a blood pressure greater than 120/80, while high blood pressure begins at 140/90.