Young Cannabis Smoker Developed Heart Failure, Stroke, and Gangrene
A young man who smoked cannabis and tobacco recreationally developed non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, a stroke from a cardiac blood clot, and gangrene requiring amputation.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
A young recreational cannabis and tobacco smoker developed progressive breathlessness over 4 months, then acute left-sided hemiparesis from a right middle cerebral artery infarct, along with left forearm gangrene from radial artery thrombosis. Cardiac MRI revealed non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.
Key Numbers
Young male patient; 4 months progressive breathlessness; 2 months cough; acute left hemiparesis with facial palsy; right middle cerebral artery territory infarct; left radial artery thrombosis with forearm gangrene requiring amputation; non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy on cardiac MRI.
How They Did This
Single case report describing a young male recreational cannabis smoker who presented with decompensated heart failure, cardioembolic stroke, and peripheral arterial thrombosis.
Why This Research Matters
While cannabis cardiovascular risks are often discussed in the context of older adults, this case highlights that severe cardiac and vascular complications can occur in young people who use cannabis recreationally.
The Bigger Picture
This case adds to a growing body of reports linking cannabis use to serious cardiovascular events in young adults, though establishing direct causation is difficult when tobacco co-use is present.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Single case report cannot establish causation; concurrent tobacco use makes it impossible to attribute effects to cannabis alone; underlying predisposition cannot be ruled out.
Questions This Raises
- ?What is the relative contribution of cannabis versus tobacco to cardiovascular risk in dual users?
- ?Are certain individuals genetically predisposed to cannabis-related cardiac complications?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Cannabis can lead to cardiomyopathy and resulting cardioembolism even in young adults
- Evidence Grade:
- Single case report providing preliminary evidence of severe cardiovascular complications.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2021.
- Original Title:
- Recreational cannabis use causing non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy and cardioembolism in a young adult.
- Published In:
- BMJ case reports, 14(6) (2021)
- Authors:
- Singh, Budha O, Panda, Prasan Kumar, Walia, Rohit
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03530
Evidence Hierarchy
Describes what happened to one person or a small group.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can cannabis cause heart problems in young people?
This case report describes a young man who developed heart failure, stroke, and gangrene in the context of recreational cannabis and tobacco smoking. While the case cannot prove cannabis was the sole cause, it highlights potential cardiovascular risks.
What happened to the patient?
He developed dilated cardiomyopathy (weakened heart muscle), suffered a stroke from a blood clot originating in the heart, and developed gangrene in his forearm from arterial thrombosis, which eventually required amputation.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03530APA
Singh, Budha O; Panda, Prasan Kumar; Walia, Rohit. (2021). Recreational cannabis use causing non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy and cardioembolism in a young adult.. BMJ case reports, 14(6). https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2021-243193
MLA
Singh, Budha O, et al. "Recreational cannabis use causing non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy and cardioembolism in a young adult.." BMJ case reports, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2021-243193
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Recreational cannabis use causing non-ischaemic cardiomyopat..." RTHC-03530. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/singh-2021-recreational-cannabis-use-causing
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.