Question Title: how does it effect me?

hi,
i have a question... i am a 30 yr old female and have just been diagnosed
with pvc's and a slight murmur.. what i am wondering is..i smoke marijuana. I know its illegal and i know its bad for you but, does it have a profound affect on my pvc's. will it make me have a heart-attack? will it make it worse than smoking cigarettes (i used to smoke them but i quit a year and half ago) or caffiene or chocolate or alcohol? i had an ekg and my heart is fine except for that. i am scheduled for a sonogram soon and am just wondering becausei enjoy smoking it and will quit if its going to kill me. but, i really dont want to i am not a drinker and would hate to pick up one habit for another. so if you could please help me i would appreciate it. i havent discussed it with my doctor yet. because i know what he will say the same thing they always say, so i thought i would ask you first. I am not a drug head i am a working professional and use it to stay stress free. thanks for your advice.

Donna

Dear Donna,
Firstly, you need to be honest with your doctor, try just having him/her read what you wrote to the forum, for no advice from a physician can be complete without honesty in the history, and the physician cares about your health, NOT the legalities of the substances that you use; it is the physicians job to treat not judge.
Meanwhile, since the inhalation of the marijuana does cause chronic lung disease as well as other health problems, I suggest you stop smoking it for two reasons:
1) It may very well be aggravating your PVCs, by stopping you can note whether or not this helps, and
2) It is potentially harmful to your health (especially your lungs), and you can see it as an oppurtunity to find a different stress reducer that is actually good for your health and stress- I am speaking of a daily aerobic exercise program.

Alcohol and caffeine consumption in moderation may aggravate PVCs, but surely they do not threaten your health and life the way marujuana can.
Thinking that giving up one vice and picking up another to compensate is very negative thinking and makes me think you are in denial, i.e. you know that the marijuana is bad for you and you rationalize "why stop when I'll just pick up something else instead".
REMEMBER-be honest with your physician.

I hope this informatin has been useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnosis and therapies. Feel free to write back with further questions.

If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.

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