A recent study suggests that regular or occasional cannabis use, encompassing marijuana, is associated with a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease and a particularly strong link to stroke. This finding emerges as cannabis use reaches historic highs in the United States.
Researchers analyzed data from nearly half a million Americans through the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System between 2020 and 2024. Participants reported their frequency of cannabis use over the past month through various methods, including smoking, vaping, and edibles. They also reported any diagnoses of heart attack, heart disease, heart-related chest pain, or stroke.
The study revealed that individuals who used cannabis occasionally (one to five days per month) had a 23% higher likelihood of reporting a history of cardiovascular disease compared to non-users. Notably, the odds of cardiovascular disease did not steadily increase with higher frequency of use, and no significant link was found between cannabis use frequency and heart attack.
"We were surprised to find that the link between cannabis use and cardiovascular disease was not straightforward," said study author and heart surgeon Aabha Divya. "We expected that the chances of heart disease would gradually rise as people used cannabis more often, but that wasn’t the case. Both low-use and heavy-use groups had higher odds of developing heart disease."
Stroke exhibited the strongest association with cannabis use. Occasional users faced a 40% higher risk of stroke, while heavy users (16 or more days per month) had a 25% increased risk. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the U.S.
These observed associations persisted even after accounting for other risk factors such as tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, physical inactivity, education level, and income. Robert L. Page II, chair of the American Heart Association’s 2020 cannabis scientific statement, noted that cannabis is emerging as a significant contributor to premature heart disease, particularly in younger adults.
However, the study's authors emphasize that their findings indicate associations rather than direct causation. The research relied on self-reported data and a single point-in-time assessment, and did not account for the potency of the cannabis consumed. The study highlights the importance of discussing cannabis use with healthcare professionals when assessing cardiovascular health.