Cannabis Use Linked to Higher Stroke Odds
Preliminary research presented ahead of the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions links cannabis use to increased cardiovascular risk.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Heart Disease
Preliminary research analyzing 442,906 U.S. adults found that cannabis use was associated with higher odds of reported cardiovascular disease history and stroke. The study cannot prove that cannabis use causes heart disease.
Why it matters
Cannabis use has grown substantially among U.S. adults, and the findings add to questions about its cardiovascular effects. The research is observational, so it identifies associations rather than establishing cause.
The analysis covered 442,906 U.S. adults surveyed across 16-24 states, with adjustments for tobacco, alcohol, obesity, diabetes and income. Low-frequency cannabis use was linked to 40% higher odds of stroke, while the researchers could not determine whether cannabis itself drives the association.
The players
American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a leading U.S. nonprofit focused on cardiovascular health and research, and it hosts its annual Scientific Sessions where studies like this are presented.
The details
Participants reported how many days they used cannabis in the prior month and whether a health professional had ever diagnosed them with cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke or coronary heart disease. The findings will be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions in Chicago, November 6-9.
Timeline
Prior research from 2016-2020 linked cannabis use to poor cardiovascular outcomes.
Survey data analyzed in the study were collected from 2020 to 2024.
The research is scheduled for presentation in Chicago from November 6 to 9, 2026.
Health Landscape
The study draws on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, which recorded past-month cannabis use rising from about 1 in 10 adults in 2020 to 1 in 6 in 2024. As use has grown, researchers are testing whether cardiovascular risks follow the same trajectory.
Adults who use cannabis regularly may want to discuss their cardiovascular risk with a clinician, particularly if they have other risk factors such as high blood pressure or diabetes. The findings are observational and do not yet justify changes to medical treatment on their own.
The takeaway
Cannabis use patterns are shifting quickly, and anyone who uses it should be aware that this research suggests a possible link to stroke risk. Keeping up with heart-health basics such as blood pressure checks remains essential.
Further reading
Explore more on Heart Disease for context on cardiovascular risk factors.
