Emerging studies indicate a troubling link between marijuana use and heightened cardiac risks, suggesting users under the age of 50 are particularly vulnerable to heart attacks, possibly due to unrecognized effects on heart rhythm and blood vessel function. Credit: SciTechDaily.com Recent research suggests a significant correlation between marijuana use and increased heart attack risks, particularly among younger adults.
Recent research suggests a significant correlation between marijuana use and increased heart attack risks, particularly among younger adults. Two large-scale studies, including a meta-analysis of over 75 million people, reveal that cannabis users under 50 could face a six times higher risk of heart attack compared to non-users. Marijuana and Heart Health: New Studies Highlight Risks
Marijuana is now legal in many places, but is it truly safe? Two new studies add to growing evidence that cannabis users face a higher risk of heart attacks, even among young and otherwise healthy individuals. The findings come from a large-scale retrospective study of over 4.6 million people published in JACC Advances and a meta-analysis of 12 previously published studies being presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.25).
As marijuana use continues to rise across the United States, particularly in states where it is legal for recreational use, researchers are uncovering potential health concerns. The retrospective study found that cannabis users under 50 were more than six times as likely to experience a heart attack compared to non-users. Meanwhile, the meta-analysis, the largest pooled study on this topic to date, found that marijuana use was associated with a 50% higher risk of heart attacks. Clinical Insights and Recommendations
“Asking about cannabis use should be part of clinicians’ workup to understand patients’ overall cardiovascular risk, similar to asking about smoking cigarettes,” said Ibrahim Kamel, MD, clinical instructor at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and internal medicine resident at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Boston and the study’s lead author. “At a policy level, a fair warning should be made so that the people who are consuming cannabis know that there are risks.” Extensive Research Findings
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New Research Uncovers Alarming Heart Risks for Marijuana Users
