Suffering from high blood pressure can be problematic and dangerous in some cases. There are many different factors that impact a person’s blood pressure, one of which is drug use. As one of the most popular drugs used around the world, marijuana can indirectly impact a person’s blood pressure. Over time, a potential connection has been found between marijuana and blood pressure.
Having high blood pressure can be the cause of serious problems and complications like stroke, heart disease, and heart failure. With the help of healthy habits and exercise, people can manage their blood pressure. When it comes to marijuana and blood pressure, many people don’t know the potentially dangerous connection. So does marijuana affect blood pressure? We’ll be taking a look at this connection and how you or a loved one can get help today!
Understanding Blood Pressure
Before understanding the connection between marijuana and blood pressure, one must first understand blood pressure. Blood pressure refers to the force with which blood travels through the arteries (pumped from the heart). Blood pressure is usually read through two stacked numbers. The top number is a person’s systolic blood pressure (the amount of pressure when the heart is contracting). The bottom number is a person’s diastolic blood pressure (or pressure between heartbeats).
Knowing one’s blood pressure is very important. A healthy blood pressure reading is usually around 120/80 or lower. If a person has high blood pressure and does not make the necessary changes to their lifestyle they can end up paying the price down the line. With this in mind, knowing how marijuana and blood pressure are connected is also important for a person’s health.
What is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure simply means that the force of blood pushing against the body’s artery walls is high. When it comes to a high blood pressure reading, it will typically be around 140/90 or higher. One of the scary things about blood pressure is a person may not feel any symptoms at all. This is why having high blood pressure is regarded as ‘the silent killer’ in some cases. Even if a person feels no symptoms, there remains the risk of future medical problems and diseases.
If a person fails to take care of their blood pressure they may experience several long-term health problems, these may include:
- Stroke
- Kidney disease
- Heart attack
- Heart disease
- Heart failure
- Vascular dementia
There are just a few of the medical complications that can arise from high blood pressure. It is recommended to make healthy lifestyle changes to avoid problems down the line. This includes quitting drug use such as marijuana and other drugs. If you or a loved one is struggling with drug abuse or addiction, Harmony Place is here to help.
Does Marijuana Increase Blood Pressure After Chronic Use?
When it comes to answering the question – does marijuana affect blood pressure? There may be a wide range of answers. With this in mind, many studies have come to the conclusion that marijuana can affect blood pressure. However, certain factors impact how much marijuana affects a person’s blood pressure.
Those who use large quantities of marijuana on a frequent basis may be more vulnerable to high blood pressure. When it comes to quantity and frequency of use, there is a solid connection between marijuana and blood pressure. This is why it’s best to steer clear of using high doses of marijuana.
In some cases, marijuana can actually decrease blood pressure as well. This is associated with a shift in blood pressure called orthostatic hypotension. However, a person who experiences orthostatic hypotension may still have high blood pressure.
The Connection Between Marijuana and Blood Pressure
While research is continuing to be done on the long-term effects of marijuana, researchers have shown an indirect connection between marijuana and blood pressure. This connection is sometimes evident through some of the habits that develop from chronic marijuana use. Those who use marijuana tend to have a highly increased appetite. This can end up being an impulsive habit of junk food (salty and fatty foods). Unhealthy food habits can cause high blood pressure in the long term.
It’s important to understand the risks of using marijuana on a frequent basis. Constant marijuana use can increase your chances of future cardiovascular problems and high blood pressure. If a person already has high blood pressure, it can be risky to continue using marijuana. While the connection between marijuana and blood pressure continues to be explored, the impact may be unpredictable. It’s important to consult with a doctor to make sure it is safe for use.
The Symptoms of Marijuana Use
There are a lot of different effects and risks that come with using marijuana on a frequent basis. While the idea of marijuana addiction is one that some may refute, there is a clear indication of dependence when it comes to marijuana use. As one of the most popular depressants out there today, marijuana has distinct effects on a person’s health. While Marijuana is not nearly as problematic as other drugs like heroin or alcohol, it can have effects.
Marijuana use can cause problems like respiratory problems and cognitive problems down the line. Not to mention the possible connection between marijuana and blood pressure. Some of the short-term and long term effects of marijuana use include the following:
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Insomnia
- Impaired coordination
- Cardiovascular problems
- Short term memory problems
- Increased heart rate (in certain cases)
Some Long-term effects of marijuana use may include:
- Legal issues
- Financial problems
- Dependence/addiction
- A decline in cognitive function
- Possibility for memory problems
- Decreased performance at school/work
Getting Rehab Treatment for Drug Addiction at Harmony Place in Los Angeles, California
The connection between blood pressure and marijuana is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many different behavioral and health-related issues that may arise after chronic marijuana use. However, marijuana is just one of many drugs that can create issues for a person and their entire family. Drug addiction continues to be a devastating and problematic situation across the globe.
Fortunately, there is a way to get proper treatment from a qualified team. Harmony Place is here to help you and your loved ones get to a better place. It is never too late to turn things around. Fortunately, there are many different programs available to help get a person to sobriety. With patience and the right level of guidance, sobriety is possible and achievable.
Many addiction treatment programs begin with detoxification and move onto more personalized therapy methods. While each case of addiction is different, there is always a treatment program that’ll fit a person’s needs and preferences. Whatever program works best, it is important to stick with it and get the help that’s needed. Let’s take a look at some of our common addiction treatment programs:
Drug and Alcohol Medical Detox Programs
Detoxification refers to the process of purging the body of toxic substances. Whether this is marijuana, alcohol, or any other substance/drug. This is an important part of the process and sets up a person for successful treatment. A medically supervised detox is also recommended, it is not advised to detox alone. This is because drug detox can be an unpredictable and potentially dangerous process if done without the proper help. Harmony Place offers a safe and effective environment for a successful medical detox.
Residential Drug and Alcohol Treatment
Residential treatment (or inpatient treatment) is usually the next step in the addiction treatment process. This type of treatment allows patients to stay in a facility for a period of time. During this period, a person will get help from staff, counselors, and therapists in a personalized treatment plan.
Residential treatment is preferred because it provides around-the-clock support for those who are recovering from addiction. This gives a person the ease of mind to focus on treatment without having to worry about anything else.
Outpatient Addiction Treatment Programs
Outpatient treatment is also a commonly used method of treatment and differs from inpatient treatment. While in outpatient addiction treatment, individuals attend therapy sessions on a weekly basis instead of living in the rehab center. This allows for an extra level of convenience as a person can still work and go to school while still getting help.
24/7 support isn’t necessarily a part of outpatient rehab as it is with residential treatment. This is why outpatient treatment is more suitable for milder cases of addiction or after residential treatment. At the start of your journey, we’ll help you choose which method is better for you.
Start the Journey at Harmony Place in Los Angeles, CA
Understanding the connection between marijuana and blood pressure, as well as its other effects, is only the first step toward addressing substance use issues. Recognizing when you or a loved one needs professional help is crucial. At Harmony Place, we provide a personalized and secure environment for addiction treatment, focusing on the comprehensive healing of mind, body, and spirit. Whether you’re concerned about the cost of drug and alcohol rehab, exploring how much detoxification costs, or looking into IOP or PHP payment costs, we are here to guide you through every step of your recovery journey.
We understand that financial aspects can be a significant concern. Harmony Place accepts health insurance from a range of providers, including Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), UnitedHealthcare (UHC), Elevance Health, and Carelon. Whether you’re questioning if insurance covers rehab, seeking specifics like Anthem BCBS drug rehab coverage or Aetna rehab coverage, our team is dedicated to making your path to recovery as accessible as possible. Don’t hesitate to begin your journey to health and happiness today—give us a call, and we’ll help you access the resources you need.