Marijuana users may be twice as likely to develop temporary heart condition, study says

Marijuana use may have the same temporary effects on the heart as a breakup or the death of a loved one, according to a study released Sunday.

Active marijuana users may be doubling their risk of stress cardiomyopathy, a sudden temporary weakening of the heart muscle that prevents it from pumping and can mimic a heart attack. Symptoms of the condition, also known as "broken heart syndrome," include acute chest pain, dizziness and shortness of breath.

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While the muscle weakness is usually caused by acute stress or grief, at least two cases have been linked to marijuana use in medical literature, according to the study, which was presented at the annual scientific conference of the American Heart Association in New Orleans.

"There have been many reports of heart attacks, strokes and the two cases of (stress cardiomyopathy) that have been linked to marijuana," said Amitoj Singh, the lead investigator of the study.

The news comes less than a week after four states -- Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada and California -- legalized recreational marijuana use, and four others -- Montana, North Dakota, Arkansas and Florida -- legalized its medical use.

Of 33,343 people who were hospitalized with stress cardiomyopathy between 2003 and 2011, less than 1 percent -- 210 people -- were identified as marijuana users. They were generally younger males with fewer cardiovascular risk factors, which can include high cholesterol, diabetes and less high blood pressure. The group who didn't use marijuana had much higher rates of these conditions.

Still, marijuana users were twice as likely to develop stress cardiomyopathy, and had a significantly higher chance of going into cardiac arrest during stress cardiomyopathy. However, they were also more likely to have a history of depression, psychosis, anxiety disorders, alcoholism, use tobacco and abuse multiple substances.

While the link isn't strong enough to imply direct causation, researchers say it is cause for concern and further research on the effects of recreational marijuana use on cardiovascular health.

"If you are using marijuana and develop symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath, you should be evaluated by a healthcare provider to make sure you aren't having stress cardiomyopathy or another heart problem," Singh said in a press release.