American Heart Association warns of cardiovascular risks of marijuana use

Editor's Note

In a Scientific Statement, the American Heart Association (AHA) says marijuana use has no cardiovascular benefits and that it has been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure.

Though a full understanding of how marijuana use affects the heart and blood vessels is limited because of a lack of adequate research, the AHA says, two recent studies show that:

• Marijuana use is present in 6% of heart attack patients under 50 years of age.
• Marijuana users aged 18 to 44 years had significantly higher risk of having a stroke compared to nonusers.

Other studies have found that smoking and inhaling marijuana is associated with cardiomyopathy, angina, heart attacks, heart rhythm disturbances, sudden cardiac death, and other serious cardiovascular conditions.

The American Heart Association recommends that people not smoke or vape any substance, including marijuana products, because of the potential harm to the heart, lungs, and blood vessels.