Cannabis Use Linked to Elevated Myocardial Infarction and Stroke Risk

Cannabis use may increase the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke independent of tobacco use, according to recent findings in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Compared with non-users, daily cannabis consumers had 25% higher odds of myocardial infarction and 42% higher odds of stroke. More frequent use was associated with a greater possibility of adverse cardiovascular outcomes regardless of whether cannabis was smoked, eaten, or vaporized.

The analysis relied on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data from more than 430,000 adults in the US who were asked how often they used marijuana or hashish. Researchers found similar results after controlling for tobacco and e-cigarette use.

As access to cannabis increases with its use becoming legal in more states across the US, “clinicians need to remember to assess cannabis use at each patient encounter in order to have a non-judgmental, shared decision conversation about potential cardiovascular risks,” Robert L. Page II, PharmD, MSPH, writing group chair of the American Heart Association scientific statement on cannabis and cardiovascular health, said in a news release.