Using Cannabis? Could It Be Affecting Your Heart?

These days, cannabis use in the U.S. is a lot more accepted and out in the open. Between 2002 and 2019, the share of American adults using cannabis steadily increased. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that in 2021, 19% of adults (nearly 1 in 5) reporting using it. Use every day or nearly every day also went up sharply over that same period.

Although still illegal at the federal level (it's still classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act), many states have changed laws over the last few years that barred both medical and recreational use. It's now often found in local stores in a wide variety of products touted for pain, anxiety, trouble sleeping, or just for a relaxing buzz. More American adults are using it now than at any other time in recent history.

At the same time, many people have come to believe cannabis is pretty safe (especially compared to cigarettes or alcohol). That shift matters. When something feels safe and it's widely available, it's easy not to question it. But researchers have been taking a closer look at one important question: what does cannabis do to your heart?

"It's a clinically important and relevant topic," notes Solomon Bagae, MD, a heart disease specialist with UVA Health. "The community should be aware of this and initiate a discussion."

American Heart Association Looks Into Cannabis & Heart Disease

Online, it's easy to find stories of folks having bad reactions to smoking marijuana or using edibles, or reaching out on forums asking questions like "Do edibles increase heart rate?" Using marijuana can cause racing heartbeat and anxiety in some people, especially if they take too much.

In 2024, researchers with the American Heart Association (AHA) decided to look at health data from more than 434,000 adults in 27 states and 2 territories of the U.S. to examine the association between cannabis use and heart disease (like blocked arteries, heart attacks, and strokes). They studied data gathered from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a national survey done every year by the CDC.

The findings showed that:

• People who used cannabis every day were about 25% more likely to have had a heart attack compared to people who didn't use cannabis at all
• They were also about 42% more likely to have had a stroke
• People who used cannabis but didn't use it every day had lower risks, but still higher than non-users

In other words, more use appeared to be linked to more risk.

What About Tobacco?

Many people who use cannabis also smoke cigarettes, and smoking is a well-known cause of heart disease. Were researchers just picking up the effects of tobacco?

To account for that, the researchers also looked specifically at the subgroup of people in the data who had never used tobacco or nicotine. When compared against that group, daily cannabis users were still more likely to have had a heart attack, stroke, or blocked arteries.

Other research points in the same direction. Studies have found early signs of damage to blood vessel walls (an important step in the development of heart disease) in people who use cannabis regularly. And this damage has shown up in both people who smoke cannabis and people who use edibles like gummies or baked goods. That suggests the risk may not come from smoking alone.

Young People Aren't Off the Hook

Heart problems are often thought of as something that happens to older adults. But the study found the same patterns in younger people, including men under 55 and women under 65.

This is a reminder that heart health is worth thinking about at any age.

What the Research Can't Tell Us Yet

The study did have real limits. People in the study reported their own cannabis use and health history, which isn't always a perfectly accurate picture. The study also captured a snapshot of people at one point in time, rather than following them for years to watch who developed heart problems later. That means researchers can see a connection between cannabis use and heart problems, but they can't say with certainty that one caused the other.

Some health experts describe these findings as a serious warning sign. Others point out that stronger types of studies, like ones that follow people over many years, are still needed.

What You Can Do Right Now

If you use cannabis, the most important step you can take is to tell your doctor. Many people don't bring it up during appointments, but your health care team needs this information to give you the best possible care. Be honest about how often you use it and in what form, whether that's smoking, vaping, or edibles.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S. As cannabis becomes more common and more accepted, understanding how it may affect your heart matters more than ever. The research is still growing, and so is our understanding. Staying informed and keeping conversation open with your doctor is always a good place to start.