Heart Attacks in Young Cannabis Users Tripled Over a Decade, With the Sharpest Rise Among Black Americans

Of 819,175 AMI hospitalizations among 18-49 year olds, 28% reported cannabis use. AMI incidence among cannabis users increased from 2.36% (2007) to 6.55% (2018). The increase was largest among Black Americans (5.69% to 12.25%). Cannabis-using AMI patients were more likely to be male (78% vs. 72%) and Black (32% vs. 14%). Rates increased across both sexes: males 2.63% to 7.17%, females 1.62% to 5.12%.

Retrospective nationwide analysis using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database, 2007-2018. ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes identified AMI hospitalizations among cannabis users aged 18-49. Gender and race stratified trend analysis.

The steep increase in heart attacks among young cannabis users, combined with racial disparities, raises urgent questions about cardiovascular safety and health equity. Whether cannabis contributes to heart attacks or is a marker for other risk factors remains critical to determine.

This trend parallels both increasing cannabis use and increasing cannabis potency. The racial disparity (Black Americans showing both higher baseline rates and steeper increases) may reflect intersecting factors including disparities in cardiovascular health, cannabis use patterns, and healthcare access.

Administrative database cannot establish causation. Cannabis use identified by ICD codes likely underestimates prevalence. Cannot distinguish cannabis as risk factor vs. correlated behavior. Increasing coding awareness may inflate apparent trends. No dose-response data.