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November 22, 2008 6:12:24 CST

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Pot Linked to Heart Attack Risk

Posted May 13, 08 3:07 CDT in Science & Health 

(Newser) – Heavy users of marijuana have elevated levels of a protein that can raise the risk of heart disease, stroke and heart attacks, according to US government researchers.  The drug apparently causes the liver to overproduce the protein, raising serious health issues for long-term smokers, researchers warned. The survey studied people who smoked 78 to 350 joints a week, Reuters reports.

"Chronic marijuana use is not so benign," said one of the authors of the study, published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. An advocate for legalizing pot questioned the findings, noting that the subjects were extremely heavy users. "We're talking about people who are stoned all the time," he said. "If you do anything to that level of excess, it might well have some untoward effects, whether it's marijuana or wine or broccoli." 

Source Reuters

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Levels of a protein linked to a type of fat in the blood are up to 30% higher in marijuana smokers, the study found.   (Getty Images (by Event) Individuals)
US government researchers have found that smoking marijuana boosts the body's levels of a protein linked to heart disease.   (Shutter Stock)
Campaigners for legalizing cannabis questioned the results of a study associated with a higher risk of heart problems, noting that the subjects were all extremely heavy smokers.   (Getty Images)
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heart disease • marijuana • medical research • heart attack • arteries • stroke risk


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