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Marihuana and Medicine pp 291–304Cite as

Cardiovascular Effects of Marihuana and Cannabinoids

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Abstract

In the isolated heart THC produces a biphasic effect on heart rate with an initial increase followed by a decrease. THC also decreases coronary flow and cardiac contractile force. The depressant effect of THC on cardiac contraction and coronary flow is antagonized by CBD and by Ca2+ antagonists. In humans, THC and marihuana induce increases in heart rate and blood pressure. In the supine position, postural hypotension is observed because of the peripheral vasodilation produced by the drug. THC produces a deregulation of the baroreflex. In dogs, cats, and rats, THC produces hypotension and bradycardia, indicating a predominance of the interaction of the parasympathetic outflow by THC in these animals. Marihuana smoking increases coronary insufficiency in patients with ischemic cardiac disease. Self-administration of cocaine before exercise will result in an increase in the tachycardia and a decreased efficiency. Marihuana smoking and THC have no therapeutic cardiac properties and are contraindicated in patients with coronary problems.

Keywords

  • Cardiovascular Effect
  • Coronary Flow
  • Marijuana Smoking
  • Coronary Problem
  • Parasympathetic Outflow

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

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Authors
  1. Renaud Trouve
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  2. Gabriel Nahas
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, New York University School of Medicine, USA

    Gabriel G. Nahas MD, PhD, DSc & Kenneth M. Sutin MD, MS & 

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Oxford University, USA

    David Harvey PhD

  3. Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uppsala, Sweden

    Stig Agurell PhD, PharmD, DSc

  4. NYU School of Medicine, USA

    Nicholas Pace MD & Robert Cancro MD & 

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Trouve, R., Nahas, G. (1999). Cardiovascular Effects of Marihuana and Cannabinoids. In: Nahas, G.G., Sutin, K.M., Harvey, D., Agurell, S., Pace, N., Cancro, R. (eds) Marihuana and Medicine. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-710-9_30

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-710-9_30

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

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