The literature is mixed on benefits/risks of cannabis for Afib. Smoking it is generally contraindicated (exceptions however). Edibles are generally OK (exceptions again). I know all the caveats from the science.
What I want to hear is the anecdotal evidence from those on THIS site who have experienced use.
I haven’t used cannabis but I have used CBD oil for low back pain. It certainly didn’t make me high or low or whatever cannabis is supposed to do. It did however help me to relax which allowed the pain to settle.
My best friend, is taking it for PTSD, and last year had a very bad episode after doubling his dosage by accident. He is prescribed THC and CBD, and has sativa, indica and CBD and CBD/THC balance *50-50* in liquid and gelcap. The print needs to be bigger on the bottles IMHO... anyway, he thought he was taking 1 CBD and 2 balanced, but accidentally took 1 CBD and 2 sativa. It triggered afib within 3 hrs. Besides his messed up shoulders and back,,he has no other physical conditions, and had just done his annual checkup 3 weeks earlier, so not cardio issues. Even though is it is developed and processed under strict guidelines and QC, getting the exact same dosage and effect, is difficult with canabanoids, and this is spelled out clearly in the accompanying literature.
I take CBD for my arthritis, and for me, it works, I can't speak for others.
It also explains that THC strains (not CBD) can cause increased heart rate, and to "consult your physician" so, I hope this helps.
Caveat: all forms of THC and CBD are legal in Canada, so I cannot speak to laws and QC in thee countries.
Thanks. It’s the ‘increased heart rate’ side effect that most concerned me when researching THC. Plus interactions with other drugs is not yet understood.
Yes, I concur. Especially when vaping...he doesn't smoke it, he is an adult and can afford a good vape device lol. He gave up vaping THC because of the sudden spike in BP and HR And for those wondering, THC vape devices are totally different than the E-cigs and nicotine vape pens. But ya, any smoke in ones lungs is not a good idea. Interactions with other drugs definitely not known yet, so ya, there's that caution as well.
The sativa strain is more likely to cause increased heart rate. I stick with indica.
That is the conventional thought, but he does have a cuff/BP/HR monitor and did a test.He did as controlled as possible. Same time, same food before, same batch # of test capsules for each test. His result..both increased BP and HR. HE also thought indica, because it is a body "high" vs sativa's "head" high, it would lower or remain the same, not raise BP/HR, that wasn't his experience, but that is just one subject and everyone is different.
Hi DK.
Maybe I can answer your question - maybe not.
My answer is if you smoke it your HR will rise very quickly (or it can and that's not a good idea with afib). Make no mistake here I'm not holier than thou. When I was a student I indulged (quite a few moons ago) but would I do it now ? No way.
So I have an answer for you. A friend of mine smokes a sliff on a regular basis - fair enough it's not for me to tell him what to do. I can tell you now though his HR shot up like wildfire - he doesn't have afib so it's maybe ok - who can tell. I did an ECG before and after and it shoot up. When he was 'chilled' like.
For me personally I wouldn't touch it. That's my opinion - PM me if you want but you'll most likely get the same answer.
Cocaine is another. I saw someone take some and they seemed to change personality within seconds. If you have afib don't do it. If you take these substances espect some repercussions.
Keep off them. That's my advice anyway.
Paul
Edit - the ECG was on my monitor but it's pretty spot on IMO. Just saying.
I'm up in years (76) and have smoked marijuana for many years. I find that the sativa strain is more likely to cause increase in heart rate, while indica produces a mellower more relaxed state. It has never impacted my afib in any way (now persistent and totally comfortable with it).
Hi i smoked blow for many years been off it 20 now sometimes I think back to my first afib bout and had been smoking at the time I think was it that knocked my heart out of sync but then again my mother had afib and never smoked anything but I think we may all have different triggers so the possibility still remains that it may have triggered mine I find triggers hard to pinpoint
Two weeks ago I was diagnosed with AF. I'm asymptomatic so I have no idea how long I've had it. It is persistent, however. My resting heart rate is low: usually 65-78 bpm. My CHADS-VASC score is 1. I'm not (yet) on anticoagulants. I saw the EP for my first visit today and asked about alcohol and cannabis. I have anxiety issues and both substances help (I use them only in the evening). I've been a light-moderate user of both materials for several years now. Cannabis I typically vape or ingest as an edible. My EP told me that even small quantities of alcohol disrupt the electrical system of the heart. He did not know anything about the effect of cannabis, though he did discourage smoking of any kind. I'm not too worried about the effect of cannabis on my heart rate, since it is typically low. However, to have to give up both alcohol and cannabis (it's legal here in the US state where I live) after already having given up coffee is (forgive the old expression) a real "bummer." The couple scientific articles I was able to find on the relationship of AF and cannabis consumption were equivocal. DKBX, would you mind sharing the scientific literature you've found on this topic? Every evening I'm facing the question of "Do I dare?" and "Do I dare?" It's gotten to the point where I'm starting to feel a bit like J. Alfred Prufrock!
Sorry, the literature was from a year or so ago and I didn’t save it at the time. But it was picked up from the web so should be available (?). As I recall, I simply searched “Afib and cannabis.” Again, from memory, it seems the take always were that edibles, if they lowered anxiety, were ok … but that smoking was never good.
Yes, I have smoked cannabis during my work. I have been working in an IT company, So during late-night works to feel relax and free up my mind, I and my friends normally intake marijuana(thestashandco.com/), we normally intake 2 to 3 cuffs. We may all have different triggers according to the body nature and the presence of minds etc.
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