Cannabis May Be an Overlooked Risk Factor for Leg Artery Disease
Emerging evidence links cannabis use to peripheral arterial disease through vasospasm, endothelial damage, and platelet changes, particularly in younger patients.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Several mechanisms link cannabis to vascular risk: cannabinoid-induced vasospasm, endothelial dysfunction, platelet aggregation, and oxidative stress. Epidemiological studies show associations between cannabis use disorder and increased PAD complications, particularly acute limb ischemia and chronic limb-threatening ischemia.
Key Numbers
Review covers epidemiological trends linking cannabis use disorder to acute limb ischemia (ALI) and chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). Limited perioperative data suggests potential adverse surgical outcomes.
How They Did This
Narrative review incorporating epidemiological data, clinical studies, and mechanistic investigations, with emphasis on pathophysiological processes relevant to arterial compromise and their association with cannabis use disorder.
Why This Research Matters
As cannabis legalization expands, clinicians may see more young patients with unexplained leg artery problems. Recognizing cannabis as a potential vascular risk factor could lead to earlier diagnosis and better outcomes.
The Bigger Picture
Cannabis-associated arteriopathy has been described for decades but remains poorly recognized. With legalization expanding in Australia and globally, the vascular surgery community needs to become more aware of this potential risk factor — especially in patients too young for typical PAD.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Narrative review without systematic methodology. Most evidence is from case reports and small series. Concurrent tobacco and other substance use confounds associations. Causal mechanisms remain unproven.
Questions This Raises
- ?What cannabis consumption patterns create the highest vascular risk?
- ?Is there a dose-response relationship?
- ?Could specific cannabinoids (THC vs. CBD) have different vascular effects?
- ?Should vascular screening be recommended for heavy cannabis users?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Evidence Grade:
- Narrative review synthesizing limited evidence from case reports, small studies, and mechanistic research. Causal relationship not established.
- Study Age:
- Published 2026, responding to recent Australian cannabis legalization.
- Original Title:
- The Impact of Cannabis Use on the Prevalence, Progression and Development of Lower Limb Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Narrative Review.
- Published In:
- ANZ journal of surgery (2026)
- Authors:
- Lee, Frances, Zhang, Daniel, Patel, Kiraati, Lee, Arvind
- Database ID:
- RTHC-08416
Evidence Hierarchy
Summarizes existing research without a strict systematic method.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can cannabis cause leg artery problems?
Emerging evidence suggests cannabis may contribute to peripheral arterial disease through blood vessel spasm, damage to vessel linings, and changes in blood clotting — particularly concerning for younger users who wouldn't typically develop these conditions.
Should doctors ask about cannabis use when diagnosing artery problems?
Yes — this review argues that with legalization expanding, clinicians should consider cannabis as a potential vascular risk factor, especially in younger patients presenting with unexplained limb ischemia.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-08416APA
Lee, Frances; Zhang, Daniel; Patel, Kiraati; Lee, Arvind. (2026). The Impact of Cannabis Use on the Prevalence, Progression and Development of Lower Limb Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Narrative Review.. ANZ journal of surgery. https://doi.org/10.1111/ans.70528
MLA
Lee, Frances, et al. "The Impact of Cannabis Use on the Prevalence, Progression and Development of Lower Limb Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Narrative Review.." ANZ journal of surgery, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1111/ans.70528
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "The Impact of Cannabis Use on the Prevalence, Progression an..." RTHC-08416. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/lee-2026-the-impact-of-cannabis
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.