A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association has uncovered a concerning association between smoking cannabis and a heightened risk of heart attacks and strokes.
The research, funded in part by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), utilized data collected from nearly 435,000 American adults spanning the years 2016 to 2020. The study revealed that daily cannabis use, predominantly through smoking, was linked to a 25 percent increased likelihood of a heart attack and a staggering 42 percent increased likelihood of a stroke compared to non-cannabis users.
Even less frequent cannabis use, such as weekly consumption, showed a 3 percent increased chance of a heart attack and a 5 percent increased chance of a stroke. The majority of respondents, approximately 75 percent, reported primarily using cannabis by smoking, while 25 percent used other methods such as vaping, drinking, or eating.
Lead study author Abra Jeffers, Ph.D., a data analyst at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, highlighted the release of toxins during cannabis combustion, similar to those found in tobacco smoke. The link between cannabis and cardiovascular events persisted even among individuals who had never used tobacco cigarettes or electronic cigarettes.
While the specific mechanisms linking cannabis to heart disease remain unclear, researchers pointed to potential factors, including endocannabinoid receptors that recognize THC, the primary psychoactive component in cannabis.
Given the evolving legal landscape of cannabis in many states and the associated “declining perception of risk,” researchers emphasized the importance of informing patients and policymakers about the risks associated with cannabis use. The study’s data was sourced from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, an annual phone survey conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
