Cannabis Use Linked to 29% Higher Heart Attack Risk and Double the Cardiovascular Death Risk
A meta-analysis of 24 studies found cannabis use associated with a 29% increased risk of acute coronary syndrome, 20% increased stroke risk, and 110% increased cardiovascular death risk.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Risk ratios for cannabis users: ACS 1.29 (95% CI 1.05-1.59), stroke 1.20 (1.13-1.26), cardiovascular death 2.10 (1.29-3.42). No significant association for composite ACS+stroke. Sensitivity analysis restricted to cohort studies yielded comparable results (RR 1.32, 1.01-1.73). 24 studies included: 17 cross-sectional, 6 cohort, 1 case-control.
Key Numbers
24 studies from 3,012 screened. 17 cross-sectional, 6 cohort, 1 case-control. ACS RR: 1.29. Stroke RR: 1.20. CV death RR: 2.10. Cohort-only analysis: RR 1.32 for ACS.
How They Did This
Systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO: CRD42023401401) of pharmacoepidemiological studies published January 2016-January 2023. Searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus. Quality assessed with ROBINS-E tool. DerSimonian-Laird random effects meta-analysis with inverse variance weighting.
Why This Research Matters
This is one of the most comprehensive quantitative assessments of cannabis cardiovascular risk. The elevated cardiovascular death risk (2.1x) is particularly concerning given increasing cannabis use and the often-overlooked cardiac effects.
The Bigger Picture
While most cannabis safety discussions focus on mental health or respiratory effects, this meta-analysis provides pooled evidence that cardiovascular risks are real and quantifiable. The magnitude of the cardiovascular death association is notable.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Most included studies were cross-sectional, limiting causal inference. Exposure measurement varied across studies. Potential residual confounding from co-use of other substances. Heterogeneity in study populations and designs.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does the cardiovascular risk vary by cannabis product type or consumption method?
- ?Are certain populations (age groups, pre-existing conditions) at higher cardiovascular risk from cannabis?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Evidence Grade:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis with registered protocol and sensitivity analyses, though predominantly cross-sectional source studies limit to moderate.
- Study Age:
- Studies published 2016-2023, search through September 2023.
- Original Title:
- Cardiovascular risk associated with the use of cannabis and cannabinoids: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Published In:
- Heart (British Cardiac Society), 111(22), 1047-1056 (2025)
- Authors:
- Storck, Wilhelm, Elbaz, Meyer(2), Vindis, Cécile, Déguilhem, Amélia, Lapeyre-Mestre, Maryse, Jouanjus, Emilie
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07731
Evidence Hierarchy
Combines results from multiple studies to find an overall pattern.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does cannabis increase heart attack risk?
This meta-analysis found a 29% increased risk of acute coronary syndrome (which includes heart attacks) among cannabis users across 24 studies.
How serious is the cardiovascular risk from cannabis?
The most concerning finding was a 2.1-fold increased risk of cardiovascular death. Stroke risk was elevated by 20%. These associations persisted when analysis was restricted to higher-quality cohort studies.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07731APA
Storck, Wilhelm; Elbaz, Meyer; Vindis, Cécile; Déguilhem, Amélia; Lapeyre-Mestre, Maryse; Jouanjus, Emilie. (2025). Cardiovascular risk associated with the use of cannabis and cannabinoids: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. Heart (British Cardiac Society), 111(22), 1047-1056. https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2024-325429
MLA
Storck, Wilhelm, et al. "Cardiovascular risk associated with the use of cannabis and cannabinoids: a systematic review and meta-analysis.." Heart (British Cardiac Society), 2025. https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2024-325429
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cardiovascular risk associated with the use of cannabis and ..." RTHC-07731. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/storck-2025-cardiovascular-risk-associated-with
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.