Cannabis Use Tied to Higher Heart Attack Risk

Recent studies have found that young and otherwise healthy adults who actively use cannabis are significantly more likely to experience severe cardiovascular events. A retrospective study indicated that cannabis users under 50 have a sixfold increase in heart attack risk and are more likely to experience heart failure and ischemic stroke compared to non-users. A meta-analysis involving over 75 million people corroborated these findings, showing a 50% increased risk of heart attacks among cannabis users. These results highlight the importance of clinicians inquiring about cannabis use during cardiovascular risk assessments. However, the studies faced limitations, including not accounting for the frequency and method of cannabis consumption. As cannabis legalization spreads, these findings raise concerns about its potential health impacts.