JACC Adv
The cardiovascular risks associated with cannabis use in healthy individuals
June 4, 2025

Cannabis use appears to be a significant independent risk factor for adverse CV events such as MI, heart failure (HF), ischemic stroke, and mortality—even in patients without known CV risk factors—according to this retrospective cohort study of patients aged 50 years and younger.
- Study. Researchers analyzed aggregated data on 4,636,628 adults aged ≤50 years from TriNetX health research network electronic health records, representing 53 U.S. health care organizations. At baseline, patients were free of significant comorbidities (e.g., hypertension, diabetes or HbA1c >7, LDL >100 mg/dL, coronary disease, MI history, tobacco use, etc.). Cannabis use was identified through ICD-10 codes: 2% were cannabis users, 98% were nonusers. Cannabis users were older, and had higher BMI, more comorbidities, and more depressive episodes. Propensity-score matching was done; covariates included age, sex, race, BMI, systolic BP, pregnancy, depression, family history of ischemic heart disease, cancer history, etc. The primary outcome was MI, secondary outcomes included major adverse CV events, all-cause mortality, ischemic stroke, and HF. Mean follow-up: 35.7 ± 23.4 months for cannabis users vs. 44.2 ± 23.8 months for nonusers.
- Results. MI risk was 0.558% in cannabis users vs. 0.09% in nonusers, with a risk ratio of 6.185 (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.89 - 7.82). Ischemic stroke risk was 0.405% in users vs. 0.094% in nonusers, with a risk ratio of 4.333 (95% CI, 3.419 - 5.493). Major adverse CV event risk was 1.187% in users vs. 0.366% in nonusers, with a risk ratio of 3.24 (95% CI, 2.864 - 3.665). HF risk was 0.861% in users vs. 0.424% in nonusers, with a risk ratio of 2.029 (95% CI, 1.795 - 2.293). All-cause mortality risk was 1.262% in users vs. 0.841% in nonusers, with a risk ratio of 1.501 (95% CI, 1.369 - 1.645).
Source:
Kamel I, et al. (2025, March 18). JACC Adv. Myocardial Infarction and Cardiovascular Risks Associated With Cannabis Use: A Multicenter Retrospective Study. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40104933/
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