Cannabis use was associated with a 71% increased risk of atrial arrhythmias
A meta-analysis of 14 studies covering 81 million participants found cannabis use associated with 71% higher odds of atrial arrhythmias, with risk further elevated by concurrent drug use and legal country status.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Cannabis associated with 71% increased atrial arrhythmia risk (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.1-2.6); risk higher with concomitant drug use (OR 1.91) and in cannabis-legal countries (OR 1.93); 12.5% of cannabis users had AA vs 2.7% of controls.
Key Numbers
14 studies; 81.2M participants; 1,578,033 with AA (1.9%); cannabis users: 12.5% AA vs controls: 2.7%; overall OR 1.71 (1.1-2.6); concomitant drug use OR 1.91; legal countries OR 1.93.
How They Did This
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 observational studies (5 prospective); 81,230,930 participants from North America, Europe, Oceania; random effects model; PROSPERO registered.
Why This Research Matters
As cannabis use expands globally, the cardiovascular risk profile is becoming clearer, and atrial arrhythmias represent a serious but potentially underrecognized consequence.
The Bigger Picture
This adds atrial arrhythmias to the growing list of cardiovascular risks associated with cannabis, alongside myocardial infarction and stroke.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
All observational studies; heterogeneity in cannabis use definitions; cannot determine dose-response; confounding by tobacco and other substances; no teenage population data.
Questions This Raises
- ?Is the arrhythmia risk dose-dependent?
- ?Does it persist after cessation?
- ?Why is risk higher in legal countries (higher-potency products or better detection)?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 71% increased risk of atrial arrhythmias with cannabis use across 81 million participants
- Evidence Grade:
- Large meta-analysis with registered protocol and consistent direction of effect, but observational data cannot establish causation.
- Study Age:
- Published 2025, search through April 2024
- Original Title:
- Cannabis use and atrial arrhythmias: A systematic review and meta-analysis of large populational studies.
- Published In:
- Heart rhythm (2025)
- Authors:
- Chye, David M, Sampaio Rodrigues, Thalys, Quarto, Levindo J G, Young, Naomie, Hamilton, Garry W, Burrell, Louise M, Teh, Andrew W, Lim, Han S, Koshy, Anoop N
- Database ID:
- RTHC-06232
Evidence Hierarchy
Combines results from multiple studies to find an overall pattern.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does cannabis cause heart rhythm problems?
This meta-analysis found cannabis use was associated with 71% higher odds of atrial arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats from the upper chambers), though observational data cannot prove causation.
Did other factors increase the risk further?
Yes. Concurrent use of other drugs and living in countries where cannabis is legal were both associated with even higher arrhythmia risk.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06232APA
Chye, David M; Sampaio Rodrigues, Thalys; Quarto, Levindo J G; Young, Naomie; Hamilton, Garry W; Burrell, Louise M; Teh, Andrew W; Lim, Han S; Koshy, Anoop N. (2025). Cannabis use and atrial arrhythmias: A systematic review and meta-analysis of large populational studies.. Heart rhythm. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2025.05.062
MLA
Chye, David M, et al. "Cannabis use and atrial arrhythmias: A systematic review and meta-analysis of large populational studies.." Heart rhythm, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2025.05.062
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis use and atrial arrhythmias: A systematic review and..." RTHC-06232. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/chye-2025-cannabis-use-and-atrial
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.