Marijuana users face a significantly higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other severe heart conditions compared to non-users, according to a new study.
Research published on March 18, 2025, in JACC Advances found that adults under 50 who use marijuana are more than six times as likely to suffer a heart attack as those who don’t. Additionally, they face a dramatically increased risk of stroke, heart failure, and heart-related death.
Dr. Ibrahim Kamel, the study’s lead researcher and a clinical instructor at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, emphasised the importance of screening for cannabis use in medical evaluations. “Asking about cannabis use should be part of clinicians’ workup to understand patients’ overall cardiovascular risk, similar to asking about smoking cigarettes,” Kamel stated in a news release.
Study Findings and Methodology
Kamel’s team analysed data from TriNetX, a global health research network, focusing on participants aged 50 and under with no prior history of major heart conditions, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or tobacco use.
After tracking participants for an average of three years, researchers discovered that marijuana users had:
- A sixfold increase in heart attack risk
- Twice the risk of heart failure
- Four times the risk of ischemic stroke, where a blood clot blocks blood flow to the brain
- Three times the risk of cardiovascular-related death, heart attack, or stroke
The researchers examined data from 12 studies involving over 75 million people across the US, Canada, and India. Seven studies confirmed a strong link between marijuana use and heart attacks, while four found no significant difference, and one suggested a slight negative association. When all data was combined, active cannabis users were found to be 1.5 times more likely to suffer a heart attack than non-users.
Limitations and Other Health Risks
Despite the findings, Kamel cautioned that the study did not account for factors like frequency, dosage, or the use of other substances such as cocaine. “We should interpret these findings with caution, as cannabis consumption is often associated with other drugs that were not accounted for,” he explained.
Marijuana is widely praised for its medicinal benefits, such as pain management and easing chemotherapy side effects. However, concerns about long-term risks are growing. Studies have linked cannabis use to heart disease, impaired brain function, mental health issues, and an increased risk of head, neck, or throat cancer. Additionally, smoking marijuana can cause lung damage.
There’s also the risk of cannabis use disorder, a condition affecting about 3 in 10 users, where individuals develop a dependency despite negative consequences, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
While the exact mechanisms remain unclear, researchers suggest marijuana may interfere with heart rhythm, increase oxygen demand in the heart muscle, and disrupt blood vessel function, leading to poor circulation.
As more research unfolds, experts urge users to be transparent with their healthcare providers about their marijuana use to ensure accurate risk assessments and proper medical care.
