Scientists Say Marijuana Use Could Increase Heart Disease Risk by Up to 23%

• Preliminary new research suggests that cannabis use may raise the risk of cardiovascular disease.
• The link remained regardless of how people consumed marijuana.
• Cardiologists explain what we know about how THC can affect your blood vessels.

As the legalization of recreational marijuana becomes more widespread, more and more folks are taking part. In 2024, one in six adults reported having used cannabis within the last month compared to one in 10 people in 2020. The growth in popularity inevitably raises the question: Is marijuana use safe—or might it be hurting our health?

Meet the experts: Sirisha Vadali, M.D., a board-certified cardiologist, advanced lipidologist, and program director of HonorHealth’s cardiometabolic program; and Travis Benzing, M.D., a cardiologist with Harbor Health.

New research digs into the issue a little deeper and raises some concerns about what cannabis might be doing to our hearts specifically.

The preliminary findings, to be presented at the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2026, linked getting high—no matter the marijuana modality (say, smoking versus edibles)—with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, especially strokes. So what does that mean if you partake in a toke or two? Below, cardiologists weigh in on the findings.

What did the study find?

The study set to be presented at the AHA’s annual meeting—meaning, it hasn’t yet been peer-reviewed—used survey data from almost half a million U.S. adults, who reported their cannabis use and any heart health diagnoses they received from medical doctors. The surveys were part of the U.S. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; participation was limited to jurisdictions with available cannabis-use information between 2020 and 2024.

Compared to people who did not use cannabis, those who used it one to five days monthly had a 23% higher chance of reporting a cardiovascular disease diagnosis, while those who used it 16 to 30 days showed 21% higher odds.

Perhaps most intriguingly? Low-frequency cannabis consumption was linked to a 40% increased stroke risk compared to nonusers, whereas heavy cannabis use had 25% higher stroke odds. So according to this research, people who used cannabis less often reported a greater incidence of stroke compared to those who used it more frequently—which suggests that the link between heart health and cannabis isn’t as straightforward as we may think.

But it’s important to note that the research on the subject is limited, so more investigation is needed to fully understand what’s behind the findings. However, cardiologists say they still provide an important jumping-off point for conversations about cannabis’s effect on heart health.

“This is an early, observational study, so it shows an association, not cause and effect,” says Sirisha Vadali, M.D., a board-certified cardiologist, advanced lipidologist, and program director of HonorHealth’s cardiometabolic program. “But the signal is consistent with what we’re seeing elsewhere. I’d rather patients know that [possible risk] now than find out after a stroke.”

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How cannabis use impacts heart health

Again, scientists are still in the early stages of understanding the relationship between cannabis and the heart, but the substance is believed to affect it in a few ways. And a lot of it has to do with THC—the primary active ingredient in marijuana—itself, rather than the vehicle by which you’re consuming it.

“Many people assume the risk comes only from the smoke, so switching to edibles feels like the safe option. But THC itself acts on the cardiovascular system,” explains Dr. Vadali. “It binds to cannabinoid receptors in the heart and blood vessels, which can raise your heart rate and cause sudden swings in blood pressure.”

It can decrease nitric oxide. That’s important, since nitric oxide plays a protective role for our blood vessels by reducing inflammation and arterial plaque that can build up over time and increase heart disease risk.

What’s more, cannabis can make platelets more likely to clump, which can raise the chances of developing a blockage, Dr. Vadali adds. In some people, it can narrow blood vessels or may trigger irregular heart rhythms like atrial fibrillation, which is a known stroke risk.

Put differently, THC puts your heart under stress “much like a burst of adrenaline,” says Travis Benzing, M.D., a cardiologist with Harbor Health. “With edibles, people also tend to take more than they planned because the effects take longer to show up,” he adds.

The bottom line

Some people may choose marijuana over alcohol as their stress reliever of choice as the science about alcohol’s heart health detriments becomes increasingly clear. But the “natural” plant isn’t necessarily the safer pick.

“I understand why people see it that way, and I never want patients to feel judged for what they choose. But I’d be careful with the word ‘safer,’” explains Dr. Vadali. “Alcohol and cannabis affect the heart in different ways, and the research on cannabis is still catching up. What we’re learning is that it isn’t the harmless option many people assume it is. If you use either one, especially if you have high blood pressure, AFib, or a family history of heart disease, that’s a conversation worth having with your doctor.”

It’s not something you should gloss over: “Be honest with your doctor about cannabis,” says Dr. Benzing. “That’s especially true if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, a family history of heart disease, or a past heart problem. If you’re young and healthy, don’t assume it doesn’t apply to you.”

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