Chronic Pain Treatment with Medical Cannabis Linked to Arrhythmia
- A study published in the European Heart Journal has found that for patients with chronic pain, the use of medical cannabis is associated with an increased risk of new-onset arrhythmia. The study was conducted using data from Danish registers by a team led by Dr. Anders Holt from Copenhagen University Hospital.
- The study involved around 1.88 million patients with chronic pain, out of which 5,391 were prescribed medical cannabis. These patients were compared to a control group of 26,941 patients. Within 180 days, 42 individuals in the cannabis group and 107 in the control group developed arrhythmia. The risk ratio for developing new-onset arrhythmia with medical cannabis use was found to be 2.07.
- The study did not find a significant association between medical cannabis use and acute coronary syndrome. The authors emphasized the need for physicians to be aware of these potential risks, particularly as more physicians are likely to find themselves prescribing medical cannabis.
Medical Cannabis Use Linked to Increased Risk for Arrhythmia in Chronic Pain Patients
Research indicates an increased risk for new-onset arrhythmia in patients with chronic pain using medical cannabis. The study, published online on Jan. 11 in the European Heart Journal, utilized Danish nationwide registers to ascertain the cardiovascular side effects of prescribed medical cannabis.
Anders Holt, M.D., from Copenhagen University Hospital — Herlev and Gentofte, and his team matched patients starting medical cannabis treatment for the first time from 2018 to 2021 with control patients based on age, sex, chronic pain diagnosis, and concurrent use of other pain medications.
Out of 1.88 million chronic pain patients, 5,391 claimed a medical cannabis prescription and were compared to 26,941 control patients. The researchers noted arrhythmia within 180 days in 42 individuals in the medical cannabis group and 107 in the control group. Compared to non-use, medical cannabis use showed an increased risk for new-onset arrhythmia (180-day absolute risk, 0.8 versus 0.4 percent; risk ratio, 2.07). No significant association was detected for acute coronary syndrome.
The authors express, “Any knowledge on cardiovascular risk following medical cannabis use is crucial for physicians prescribing medical cannabis.” The study further heightens the need for awareness in the medical community about potential risks. Some authors of the study disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
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