Introduction
Cannabis use, including marijuana use, seems to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Researchers will be presenting this finding at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2026 (Chicago, 6th – 9th November 2026). At this conference, researchers will showcase the most recent innovations in cardiovascular science.
Cannabis use has been associated with negative cardiovascular outcomes in both those who smoke cannabis and those who eat it. Cannabis refers to the plant itself. Whereas, marijuana is often used to refer to cannabis products which have enough tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to cause psychoactive effects.
Cannabis is the most widely produced and consumed illicit drug in the world. Approximately 182.5 million people use cannabis globally. This equates to 3.8% of the population. Cannabis is also the most widely used illicit drug in those aged 15-64 in North America. An estimated 11.6% use cannabis per year.
Previous Research
It has been previously shown that cannabis use results in negative cardiovascular outcomes. Those who used cannabis more frequently each month were shown to have increased risk of cardiovascular outcomes. Previous researchhttps://www.heart.org also highlights how quickly cannabis use has increased in the US. One in six adults reported cannabis use in the last month in 2024, compared to one in ten in 2020. This is a 51% increase.
Aabha Divya, M.B.B.S., M.Ch. Assistant Professor, Tulane University School of Medicine, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, New Orleans was the author of this paper.
Recent Research on Cannabis Use and Cardiovascular Risks
Researchers looked at data from almost half a million adults in the US who completed a phone interview about their cannabis use. Data was collected from areas which recorded cannabis use between 2020 and 2024, via the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Patients were also asked if they had been diagnosed with any cardiovascular issues by health care professionals such as heart attack, stroke or coronary heart disease.
Robert L. Page II, Pharm.D., M.S.P.H., FAHA, Chair Writing Group, American Heart Association’s 2020 scientific statement on cannabis, said “Many cannabis users also smoke tobacco cigarettes which makes it difficult to determine how much cannabis alone may be contributing to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Cannabis is often seen as an innocent bystander but there is emerging evidence to challenge this. This paper is the second observational study to suggest that cannabis use alone may be contributing to cardiovascular disease. Cannabis use may be contributing to premature heart disease across multiple age groups and can result in significant cardiovascular events. Clinicians should be asking patients about their cannabis use.”
Page is also a professor at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aurora, Colorado in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. However, he was not involved in this study.
Cannabis Use and Cardiovascular Health
Stanton Glantz, PhD, and Lynn Silver, MD, University of California, San Francisco stated it is essential to identify how much cannabis is used by every patient. Healthcare professionals are an essential source of information regarding cannabis use at all ages. Irrespective of how often they use cannabis and what the laws are in their state. Doctors should always ask their patients about cannabis use, educate them about the potential risks of cannabis and consider how much they use.
The authors recommend guidelines for preventing cardiovascular disease should specifically mention the potential risks of cannabis use. It is important to include the risks associated with cannabis use in regulations.
Warnings should be placed on products to make sure they are informative. Educational programmes should be introduced to teach people about the potential risks. Regulators should consider cardiovascular risks associated with cannabis. Current regulations are focused on creating legal markets for cannabis. However, it is recommended to treat cannabis like Tobacco. Discourage use but not criminalise users and protect innocent bystanders from second hand cannabis smoke.
Risks Associated with Cannabis Use
With the increasing popularity of medical and recreational cannabis use, particularly in younger people, there are serious concerns about its safety. There are a number of potential cardiovascular complications associated with cannabis use. However, it is not yet fully understood what effects cannabis can have on the cardiovascular system. Studies have shown cannabis can cause arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia and could cause sudden cardiac death. It has also been associated with increased risk of MI.
Smoking tobacco can further increase the risk. Excessive exercise can also cause https://www.who.int certain cardiac events, especially in the first few hours after cannabis use. Cannabis use has also been associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke, even in healthy young people.
Whilst many people use cannabis recreationally due to well known neurological and cognitive effects, little is known about its effects on other systems. Many people do not realise the potential risks. Recently, a large survey was undertaken on American adolescents and around 3/4 said they didn’t think cannabis caused significant harm.
Benefits of Cannabis for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health
Most studies published have shown cannabis and cannabinoids can have a negative effect on the cardiovascular system. However, there are some studies showing they can have positive effects. Cannabis/marijuana use has been associated with increased risk of acute cardiac events. However, there is limited knowledge on how cannabis affects those with established coronary artery disease in the long term.
Many epidemiological studies have shown marijuana users to have lower rates of obesity and diabetes mellitus. This implies cannabinoids can have a positive effect on metabolic regulation. One study found marijuana use was associated with lower fasting insulin levels, lower HOMA-IR and lower waist circumference in 4,657 American adults.
Cannabinoids can affect metabolism via interaction with the endocannabinoid system. This system controls hunger, energy balance, glucose metabolism and lipid storage. Cannabinoids may affect insulin sensitivity and fat distribution. However, this doesn’t mean cannabis can prevent obesity or diabetes.
SEE ALSO :Lungs Disease
Conclusion
Cannabis can cause tachycardia and changes in blood pressure shortly after use. It can also cause an increased risk of stroke, heart disease and other cardiovascular issues. Most research has relied on self reported data from cannabis users to look at the relationship between cannabis use, heart attacks and stroke. Cannabis smoke contains many of the same harmful chemicals as tobacco smoke which can cause damage to the lungs and cardiovascular system. Healthcare professionals should recognise cannabis as a potential risk factor and talk to patients about the implications. and cardiovascular system.
1. What is dengue?