MGH Study: Cannabis Use Linked to Increase in Stroke and Heart Attack Risk
As the recreational use of cannabis is increasing, new research suggests that the public needs to become more aware of the health risks associated with that use.
A study led by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers and published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that using cannabis has a significant association with an increased risk of stroke and heart attack. The association was independent of tobacco use. The research also suggests that more frequent use of cannabis (more days of use per month) increased the risk of cardiovascular events.
“Despite common use, little is known about the risks of cannabis use and, in particular, the cardiovascular disease risks,” says lead study author Abra Jeffers, PhD, a data analyst at MGH. “The perceptions of the harmfulness of smoking cannabis are decreasing, and people have not considered cannabis use dangerous to their health. However, previous research suggested that cannabis could be associated with cardiovascular disease. In addition, smoking cannabis—the predominant method of use—may pose additional risks because particulate matter is inhaled.”
Use Among Older Adults Increasing
In a separate study, published in late 2023 in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoids Research, researchers at the University of Michigan explored cannabis use since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among their findings were that more older Americans are using cannabis than before the pandemic, with 12 percent saying they consumed a THC-containing substance in the last year and 4 percent saying they do so multiple times a week.
THC stands for delta-9tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary ingredient in the cannabis plant that produces a psychoactive effect or “high.” It is a type of compound called a cannabinoid. The other main cannabinoid is CBD (cannabidiol), the main component of medical marijuana and other products, including oils, capsules, and edible items, such as gummies. CBD does not produce a high, but research suggests it may help some people with chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, and other conditions.
The University of Michigan study findings also suggest that older individuals who drink alcohol excessively often have a much higher rate of cannabis use compared with their peers who are moderate drinkers or who abstain from alcohol. The researchers noted that the use of alcohol and cannabis increases the chances of driving while impaired. The risks of physical and mental health issues, including substance use disorders, are also higher in this population.
Serious Health Risks
In the MGH study, researchers analyzed the cannabis use and health records of about 430,000 adults, ranging in age from 18 to 74. Among the concerning findings was that daily cannabis users had a 25 percent greater risk of heart attack compared to nonusers. The odds of stroke for daily cannabis users were 42 percent higher compared with nonusers. The stroke risk was also lower among individuals who use cannabis less than daily.
“Our sample was large enough that we could investigate the association of cannabis use with cardiovascular outcomes among adults who had never used tobacco cigarettes or ecigarettes,” Dr. Jeffers says. “Cannabis smoke is not all that different from tobacco smoke, except for the psychoactive drug: THC vs. nicotine. Our study shows that smoking cannabis has significant cardiovascular risks, just like smoking tobacco. This is particularly important because cannabis use is increasing, and conventional tobacco use is decreasing.”
Cannabis use, particularly smoking, can increase your resting heart rate and raise your blood pressure. Cannabis, even when consumed in edible form, can also reduce the flexibility of blood vessels, making it tougher for them to widen or constrict as needed in response to exercise, temperature, and other factors.
Takeaway
Even though recreational cannabis use is legal in many places, it is not without health concerns, particularly for people who already have risk factors for cardiovascular disease or mental health issues, such as substance use disorder. You should also understand that, while smoking cannabis may present the most health risks, other types of use are also risky. If you currently use cannabis in any form, talk with your doctor about how it might affect your health.
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