Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage stroke is a type of stroke that involves bleeding within the brain. Elderly individuals are more prone to this type of stroke than others, and recently a team of researchers has been examining lifestyle choices that can make these strokes worse. What they found was that those who use marijuana are about twice as likely to suffer severe complications when one of these strokes happens.
The team, based out of the Barrow Neurological Institute in Arizona, was one of the first to look at how marijuana usage impacts stroke and stroke recovery. Even though marijuana has become much more accepted throughout the country, research is showing that it might not be as safe as many believe it to be, especially when it comes to heart and cardiovascular health.
The team published their findings in the journal of the American Stroke Association, Stroke. Hopefully, this helps to a greater understanding of how to help prevent strokes.
Strokes in general can lead to disability and increase the potential need for senior care. Unfortunately, lifestyle choices can often complicate the outcomes of strokes of any sort. As this research indicates, marijuana use doubles the likelihood that someone who suffers from this kind of stroke will develop severe complications or die from their stroke.
Marijuana is legal to use recreationally in a good part of the country. In some of the states where it’s not legal for recreational use, it can be used for medicinal purposes with proper authorization. But just like other substances (such as nicotine and alcohol), just because it is legal to use does not necessarily mean that it’s safe. Marijuana use is something that should be evaluated on a case by case basis, preferably with a doctor’s opinion being weighed into the equation. There are certainly some benefits to this substance, but as the above study indicates, there are also some sincere concerns.
Each situation is a bit different. What works for some won’t work for others. There’s a lot of information out there regarding cannabis use, but use amongst seniors is still a developing field. In the coming months and years, there’s bound to be a lot more research conducted in this area, especially now that its usage is growing in legality and more information is available to look at. This will be an emerging field of study over the coming years.
In the meantime, please speak with a doctor if you would like to learn more. They will be able to get you more precise information regarding you and your family’s specific needs.
As always, if you would like to learn more about how customized in-home care might help your family’s specific set of needs, we are here to talk. Give us a call to schedule a free consultation. One of our care professionals would love to get to know your family a little bit better and help steer you in the right direction when it comes to finding the ideal kind of care for your unique situation.
Leave a Reply