A young woman had a heart attack shortly after using synthetic cannabis
A case report described a young woman who presented with an anterior ST elevation myocardial infarction (heart attack) shortly after using synthetic cannabis, highlighting the cardiovascular dangers of these potent compounds.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
A young woman presented to the hospital with an anterior ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) shortly after using synthetic cannabis.
ST elevation myocardial infarction is a serious type of heart attack involving complete blockage of a coronary artery.
The temporal relationship between synthetic cannabis use and the cardiac event was notable, as the patient was young and otherwise not in a typical demographic for heart attacks.
The case report highlighted the cardiovascular risks of synthetic cannabinoids, which are far more potent than natural cannabis and can cause coronary vasospasm, arrhythmias, and direct cardiac toxicity.
Key Numbers
Young female patient. Anterior STEMI. Temporal onset shortly after synthetic cannabis use.
How They Did This
Single case report with clinical documentation of STEMI following synthetic cannabis use.
Why This Research Matters
Heart attacks in young women are rare, and when they occur shortly after synthetic cannabinoid use, the temporal association strongly suggests a causal link. Synthetic cannabinoids can cause severe coronary vasospasm even in people with no pre-existing heart disease.
The Bigger Picture
Synthetic cannabinoids have been linked to an increasing number of cardiovascular events including heart attacks, strokes, and sudden cardiac death. Unlike natural cannabis, synthetics are full agonists at cannabinoid receptors with unpredictable potency, making cardiac events more likely.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Single case report. Limited clinical details available in the abstract. Cannot definitively prove the synthetic cannabis caused the MI versus being coincidental.
Questions This Raises
- ?Which specific synthetic cannabinoid was involved?
- ?What is the mechanism of synthetic cannabinoid-induced myocardial infarction?
- ?How many young cardiac events go unrecognized as synthetic cannabinoid-related?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Young woman with acute STEMI shortly after synthetic cannabis use
- Evidence Grade:
- Preliminary. Single case report with limited clinical detail in the abstract.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2018. Cardiovascular events from synthetic cannabinoids have continued to be reported.
- Original Title:
- Acute myocardial infarction triggered by use of synthetic cannabis.
- Published In:
- Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center), 31(2), 200-202 (2018)
- Authors:
- Mills, Brooke, Dishner, Emma, Velasco, Carlos E
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01764
Evidence Hierarchy
Describes what happened to one person or a small group.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can synthetic cannabis really cause a heart attack?
Yes. Synthetic cannabinoids are full agonists at cannabinoid receptors, much more potent than natural THC. They can cause severe coronary artery spasm, dangerous heart rhythms, and direct heart muscle toxicity, all of which can trigger heart attacks even in young people without pre-existing heart disease.
Is natural cannabis safer for the heart?
Natural cannabis carries some cardiovascular risk, but synthetic cannabinoids are substantially more dangerous due to their much higher potency and unpredictable effects. The cardiovascular risk profile is qualitatively different between the two.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01764APA
Mills, Brooke; Dishner, Emma; Velasco, Carlos E. (2018). Acute myocardial infarction triggered by use of synthetic cannabis.. Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center), 31(2), 200-202. https://doi.org/10.1080/08998280.2017.1416243
MLA
Mills, Brooke, et al. "Acute myocardial infarction triggered by use of synthetic cannabis.." Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center), 2018. https://doi.org/10.1080/08998280.2017.1416243
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Acute myocardial infarction triggered by use of synthetic ca..." RTHC-01764. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/mills-2018-acute-myocardial-infarction-triggered
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.