Consistent cannabis use significantly increases the risk of serious cardiovascular complications in patients with heart failure, according to new data presented at SCAI 2025.
Analyzing over 1.3 million hospital admissions for heart failure (2016–2020), researchers found that patients with cannabis use disorder (CUD) faced:
- 50% higher risk of acute myocardial infarction
- 48% higher risk of arrhythmia
- 27% higher risk of cardiogenic shock
Surprisingly, CUD patients had lower odds of death or respiratory failure, a finding researchers say requires further investigation.
Lead author Dr. Syed Ishaq emphasized that while mortality may be lower, the heightened risk of life-altering cardiovascular events underscores the need for early education and caution around heavy cannabis use in at-risk populations.
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