Cannabis Use Tied to Higher Cardiovascular Risk, Especially Stroke, New Research Finds

New preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2026 suggests that cannabis use, including marijuana, is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, with the strongest link observed for stroke. The findings, based on an analysis of nearly half a million U.S. adults, highlight the growing importance of including cannabis use in cardiovascular risk assessments as its prevalence rises.

The study, led by Aabha Divya, M.B.B.S., M.Ch., an assistant professor at Tulane University School of Medicine, analyzed pooled data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) for the years 2020 to 2024. The analysis included 442,906 adults from states that included the optional marijuana module in their surveys. Participants reported their frequency of cannabis use in the past month, categorized as none, low (1-5 days), moderate (6-15 days), or heavy (16-30 days). They also reported whether they had ever been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, stroke, or coronary heart disease.

Compared with non-users, those who used cannabis 1-5 days per month had 23% higher odds of reporting a history of cardiovascular disease, while heavy users (16-30 days per month) had 21% higher odds. The association was most pronounced for stroke: low-frequency use was linked to 40% higher odds of stroke, and heavy use to 25% higher odds. No statistically significant association was found between cannabis use frequency 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. Both low-use and heavy-use groups had higher odds of developing heart disease." She added that as cannabis use becomes more common, it is increasingly important for patients and healthcare professionals to include it in conversations about cardiovascular health, just as they discuss tobacco and alcohol.

The research builds on prior studies, including the American Heart Association's 2020 cannabis scientific statement, which raised concerns about potential cardiovascular effects. Robert L. Page II, Pharm.D., M.S.P.H., FAHA, chair of the writing group for that statement, noted that many patients who use cannabis may also smoke tobacco, complicating risk assessment. "In patients who use both, cannabis has always been considered an innocent bystander; however, this is not the case," Page said. "This is the second observational study to suggest that cannabis exposure (without tobacco smoking) may be a potential risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease. Overall, cannabis is beginning to emerge as a major contributor to premature heart disease in young and older adults."

The study's findings are considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal. The authors note limitations, including the cross-sectional design, reliance on self-reported data, and lack of information on cannabis potency or amount consumed. The research was presented at the Association's premier global exchange of cardiovascular science, and additional details are available in the Abstract Poster Mo3041 and the Scientific Sessions 2026 Online Program Planner. For more information on the American Heart Association's scientific meetings, visit Scientific Sessions 2026.

For Texas, where cannabis products, including delta-8 and other hemp-derived cannabinoids, are widely available, the findings underscore the need for healthcare providers to screen for cannabis use as part of routine cardiovascular risk assessments. As cannabis use continues to rise nationally—from 1 in 10 adults in 2020 to 1 in 6 in 2024—the study's implications extend to public health messaging and clinical practice. The American Heart Association provides resources for cardiovascular risk assessment, including information on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and maintains transparency in its funding, as detailed here. For more news from the American Heart Association, visit NEWMEDIAWIRE.