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Question:
If someone has arrhythmia, is it safe to consume medical grade marijuana?
If some one has arrhythmia, is it safe to consume medical grade marijuana? The reason is it can cause a drop in blood pressure -- is this true?
submitted by Jake from Michigan on 2/3/2013
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiologist, Scott R. Sherron, MD 
The acute cardiovascular effects of marijuana use have been extensively studied although predominately in young healthy males. There is a slight increase in resting BP and a predictable increase in heart rate. This is related to an increase in sympathetic tone and can be blunted with B-blockers. Sympathetic stimulation is a common trigger for several arrhythmias and B-blockade is a mainstay of therapy. Marijuana use has been specifically associated with bouts of atrial fibrillation. Therefore, there are numerous reasons that the use of even medical grade marijuana would be ill-advised with a history of arrhythmia.
Hope that is helpful.
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Updated February 2013
