Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
November 02, 2026
Cannabis Use Tied to Higher Cardiovascular Risk, Especially Stroke
TLDR
- New American Heart Association preliminary research links cannabis use to higher cardiovascular risk, especially stroke, giving clinicians an edge in preventive counseling.
- Analysis of 442,906 U.S. adults from 2020-2024 BRFSS data showed low and heavy cannabis use associated with 23% and 21% higher odds of cardiovascular disease, with stroke odds up 40% and 25%.
- Including cannabis use in heart health conversations can help people make informed choices and reduce stroke and heart disease risk, improving lives.
- Cannabis use linked to higher stroke risk regardless of form, with low-frequency use showing 40% higher odds, challenging assumptions about dose-response.
Impact - Why it Matters
This news matters because cannabis use is rapidly increasing, yet many people may not realize it could affect their heart health. With 1 in 6 adults using cannabis, understanding its potential cardiovascular risks is crucial for both patients and healthcare providers. The findings suggest that even low-frequency use is associated with higher odds of cardiovascular disease and stroke, challenging the perception of cannabis as harmless. As legalization expands, incorporating cannabis use into routine cardiovascular risk assessments could help prevent heart attacks and strokes, ultimately saving lives. This research underscores the importance of open conversations between patients and clinicians about all substance use, including cannabis, to better manage and reduce cardiovascular risk.
Summary
New preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2026 suggests that cannabis use, including marijuana, is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly stroke. The study, led by Aabha Divya, M.B.B.S., M.Ch., an assistant professor at Tulane University School of Medicine, analyzed data from nearly half a million U.S. adults who participated in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) between 2020 and 2024. Participants reported their cannabis use frequency and whether they had been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, heart attack, or stroke. The findings reveal that compared to non-users, those who used cannabis 1-5 days per month had 23% higher odds of reporting cardiovascular disease, while heavy users (16-30 days per month) had 21% higher odds. The strongest association was with stroke: low-frequency use was linked to 40% higher odds, and heavy use to 25% higher odds. Interestingly, no significant association was found between cannabis use and heart attack.
“We were surprised to find that the link between cannabis use and cardiovascular disease was not straightforward,” Divya said. “We expected that the chances of heart disease would gradually rise as people used cannabis more often, but that wasn’t the case.” The researchers emphasize that as cannabis use becomes more common—with 1 in 6 adults reporting use in 2024, up from 1 in 10 in 2020—it is crucial for healthcare professionals to include cannabis in cardiovascular risk assessments, similar to tobacco and alcohol. Robert L. Page II, Pharm.D., M.S.P.H., FAHA, chair of the writing group for the American Heart Association’s 2020 cannabis scientific statement, noted that cannabis is emerging as a major contributor to premature heart disease, and clinicians should address its use when considering atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk. The study is limited by its observational design and self-reported data, but it highlights the need for further research and patient education.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content distributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, Cannabis Use Tied to Higher Cardiovascular Risk, Especially Stroke
