Regular Pot Use May Raise Your Risk for Heart Attack and Heart Failure

Using marijuana on a regular basis may raise your risk for heart failure, heart attack, and stroke. Two new studies from separate research groups examined the link between marijuana use and heart and brain health.

The first study included 157,000 adults who completed marijuana use surveys and were followed for nearly four years. Even after adjusting for factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity, researchers found that daily marijuana users were 34% more likely to develop heart failure compared to those who never used the drug. The lead author noted that marijuana use isn't without health concerns, and this study provides more data linking its use to cardiovascular conditions.

In the second study, researchers reviewed data from more than 28,500 hospitalized patients older than 65 with known cardiovascular risk factors but no history of smoking cigarettes. Seniors who regularly used marijuana were 20% more likely to experience a major heart or brain event while hospitalized, according to the results. Additionally, their risk of heart attack was significantly higher. High blood pressure and high cholesterol were major predictors of both heart and brain events in marijuana users.

Dr. Robert Page, co-author of the American Heart Association's scientific statement on marijuana use and heart health, stated that the cardiovascular risks of cannabis use are becoming clearer and should be carefully considered and monitored by healthcare professionals and the public.