Cannabis and the Heart: What You Need to Know Before Lighting Up

Dangers of smoking cannabis to your heart

As cannabis legalization sweeps across the United States and dispensaries become as common as coffee shops, more Americans are turning to marijuana for recreation, sleep, and even stress relief. But while public perception leans toward safety, especially when compared to tobacco or alcohol, emerging research is sounding an alarm: cannabis might be putting your heart at risk.

A growing body of evidence shows that regular marijuana use may significantly increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular issues, even among younger adults with no history of smoking.

In a large-scale analysis published by the American Heart Association in February 2024, researchers examined health data from over 430,000 U.S. adults. The findings were sobering:

Daily cannabis users had a 25% higher risk of heart attack compared to non-users.
The risk of stroke jumped by 42% for those who used cannabis every day.
Even younger adults—men under 55 and women under 65—faced a 36% higher risk of coronary heart disease, even if they had never smoked cigarettes.

These risks were not limited to one method of consumption. Whether smoked, vaped, or eaten, cannabis appeared to carry the same cardiovascular consequences.

Cannabis affects the cardiovascular system in multiple ways. The active ingredient in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), can interact with receptors in the blood vessels and heart. This may lead to:

Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Blood vessel inflammation and oxidative stress
Disruption of the inner lining of blood vessels, potentially leading to clots

And while many assume that edible forms are safer, research from the University of California, San Francisco has shown that both smoked and edible cannabis can impair blood vessel function in ways that increase the risk of heart problems.

It is importance for medical professionals to start asking their patients about marijuana use just as they do about tobacco and alcohol. It is often left out of the conversation, But must be included in the clinical workup to help ensure patients know their risks.

This is especially important as legalization continues to rise across the country and marketing often focuses more on benefits than drawbacks.

If you use cannabis regularly, consider these steps:

Talk to your doctor: Be open about how often and in what form you use cannabis. Your physician can help assess your individual risk.
Monitor your blood pressure and heart rate, especially if you have existing heart conditions.
Avoid smoking when possible—while edibles aren’t risk-free, they may avoid some of the harms associated with inhaling smoke.
Use less frequently: The strongest health risks were seen among daily users.

Cannabis may be natural, but “natural” doesn’t always mean harmless. As more research unfolds, it’s clear that marijuana is not as benign as many assume, especially for your heart. Just like alcohol or tobacco, cannabis use carries real health risks that deserve our attention.

Being informed doesn’t mean you can’t make your own choices, it means you can make better ones. Your heart may depend on it.

References

American Heart Association. (2024, February 28). Marijuana use linked to higher risk of heart attack and stroke. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2024/02/28/marijuana-use-linked-to-higher-risk-of-heart-attack-and-stroke

National Institutes of Health. (2024, February 28). Smoking cannabis associated with increased risk of heart attack, stroke. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/smoking-cannabis-associated-increased-risk-heart-attack-stroke

American College of Cardiology. (2025, March 18). Cannabis users face substantially higher risk of heart attack. https://www.acc.org/About-ACC/Press-Releases/2025/03/17/15/35/Cannabis-Users-Face-Substantially-Higher-Risk

Dr. Frederick Echols, MD, is available as a subject matter expert on public health for press interviews and speaking engagements.

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About Dr. Fredrick Echols, MD

Dr. Fredrick L. Echols, MD is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Population Health and Social Justice Consulting, LLC, an Obama Foundation Global Leader, sought-after public speaker, black men’s health advocate, and accomplished physician with over 15 years of experience in public health. He has worked extensively with public and private sectors to address complex health issues through evidence-informed approaches. Dr. Echols is a graduate of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Population Health Training in Place program and the ASTHO-Morehouse School of Medicine’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program.

Passionate about health and justice, Dr . Echols’ notable roles include serving as Chief Executive Officer for Cure Violence Global, Health Commissioner for the City of St. Louis, and Director of Communicable Disease and Emergency Preparedness for the St. Louis County Department of Public Health. In these roles, he oversaw public health regulations, led COVID-19 response efforts, managed daily operations, and developed strategic partnerships. Dr. Echols also served as Chief of Communicable Diseases for the Illinois Department of Public Health and as a physician in the U.S. Navy. He continues to contribute to public health research and guides health organizations globally.