Does smoking marijuana effect SVT?

[Slippers5]

I have SVT and take 25mg atenolol for it, twice daily. I am wanting to try smoking weed this weekend, but am nervous that it will trigger an SVT episode. Will smoking weed trigger my SVT, even with my medication? This will be my first time smoking ever

[2210485]

Unfortunately that's extremely hard to predict. The effects of Marijuana on cardiac rhythm is very poorly understood. Even with foods and environmental factors triggers are highly individualized.

Even in the case of Betablocker interactions with Cannabis generally most reports are anecdotal and seem to vary with each individuals response to the drug.

On the bright side; I don't know of any lethal instances of Marijuana affecting a patient. There's a risk of you feeling crappy but not a major risk of winding up in the icu or dieing.

That said; its worth noting that Marijuana does have other adverse effects. Despite what folks might try to sell you, chronic marijuana consumption, particuarly in the smoked form is every bit as bad for your heart and lungs as nicotine consumption.

In California patients have been given the option to use the drug legally without medical advice. I fully support this decision; however I think people need to be aware that you still need to consume the drug responsibly and be aware of the risks.

When the magical herb with seemingly has 1000 health benefits, which has 'never caused an overdose', gives you lung cancer or emphysema 10 years later; don't act say I didn't warn you.

[2210485]

Also bear in mind;

The drug is addictive. Despite not having the same sort of violent withdrawl symptoms seen in Alchoholics, Benzodiazapine (Valium/Xanax/Kolonopin) Abusers or Opiod users, dependency doesn't occur.

Look at Gambling addiction for example. If a chronic gambler were to make the argument that they are not in fact addicted or that their addiction is somehow less serious then a heroin addiction; would you believe them?

Of course not! It's simply common knowledge that gambling addiction tears lives apart and breaks down individuals just as effectively as Heroin. Every gambling addict that commits suicide because they can't pay their morgage is equally as tragic a loss as a heroin overdose.

Yet symptoms of quitting gambling are of an entirely different nature than quitting heroin.

Now no, I am not necessarily saying that marijuana addiction is objectively of equal 'severity' to gambling. What I am suggesting however is that there seems to be; from my own experience, a degree of disinformation on the street as to what addiction really is and how it exacts harm.

An individual that lives paycheck to paycheck that chooses to continue to use Marijuana, despite needing the money for essentials, is harming themselves.

So to reiterate; while I support the democratic process and your right to choose your vices... Think carefully about the consequences first.