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Medical Cannabis Effect on Blood Pressure and Hypertension

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Ran Abuhasira MD, PhD student
Cannabis Clinical Research Institute and Clinical Research Center
Soroka University Medical Center, and Faculty of Health Sciences
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Beer Sheva, Israel

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

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Response:
The background for the study is the steady rise of cannabis use as a therapeutic in Israel and in many countries around the world. This largest increasing population of patients treated with medical cannabis is the older adults. However, very little data was published about cannabis treatment in older adults, and specifically about the cardiovascular and metabolic implications. T

he main finding of the study is that cannabis treatment for 3 months was associated with a reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure values, as measured by consequent 24-hours ABPM tests. In addition, no significant changes were found in blood lipids profile, hemoglobin A1C, fasting insulin, C-reactive protein, kidney function tests, electrolytes, anthropometric measurements, and ECG parameters.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: Medical cannabis can cause a reduction in blood pressure in older adults with hypertension. We do not suggest it should be considered as a treatment for hypertension, but we believe that adding cannabis treatment requires reassessment of blood pressure treatment and blood pressure values.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?

Response: Future research should include assessment of immediate effects of cannabis on blood pressure of older adults and long-term effects of cannabis on blood pressure of older adults without hypertension. Furthermore, a more thorough assessment of the effects of cannabis on blood glucose and glucose metabolism should be conducted.

Disclosures: I have nothing to disclose, the study was conducted as a part of my PhD.

Citation:

Abuhasira R, Haviv YS, Leiba M, Leiba A, Ryvo L, Novack V. Cannabis is associated with blood pressure reduction in older adults – A 24-hours ambulatory blood pressure monitoring study. Eur J Intern Med. 2021 Jan 20:S0953-6205(21)00005-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ejim.2021.01.005. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33483174.

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Last Updated on February 10, 2021 by Marie Benz MD FAAD