Even occasional marijuana use is tied to 40% higher odds of stroke
A survey of 440,000+ U.S. adults links even infrequent cannabis use to higher odds of a reported stroke history, though causation is unproven.
Summary
Cannabis use and cardiovascular health are in the spotlight after a large preliminary study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2026. Researchers analyzed survey data from more than 440,000 American adults collected between 2020 and 2024. They found that even occasional marijuana users had about 40% higher odds of reporting a history of stroke than non-users. The association showed up across different ways of consuming cannabis, including smoking and edibles, and was not limited to heavy users. Cannabis use is rising fast, with 1 in 6 U.S. adults reporting use in the past month in 2024, up from 1 in 10 in 2020. Importantly, the study cannot show that cannabis causes strokes or heart disease. It relied on self-reported data from a telephone survey, so the findings point to a link worth watching rather than proof of harm. Still, the authors say cannabis use should be part of conversations about heart health and stroke prevention.
Detailed Summary
Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability and death in older adults, and protecting vascular health is central to staying healthy and independent as we age. That makes new data on cannabis, whose use is climbing across the United States, worth attention. In 2024, 1 in 6 American adults reported using cannabis in the past month, up from 1 in 10 in 2020, a 51% increase.
A preliminary study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2026 in Chicago analyzed responses from more than 440,000 adults in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a large telephone survey. Researchers combined data from jurisdictions that asked about cannabis use between 2020 and 2024. Participants reported their marijuana use and whether a healthcare professional had ever diagnosed them with a heart attack, stroke, or coronary heart disease.
The headline result was that even occasional marijuana users had about 40% higher odds of reporting a history of stroke. The association was not confined to frequent users and appeared across consumption methods, including smoking and edibles. Earlier research from 2016 to 2020 had suggested that more frequent monthly use tracked with greater cardiovascular risk, but the evidence has been inconsistent, which motivated this larger analysis.
For readers focused on healthspan, the practical message is cautious. Cannabis use is worth mentioning to your clinician when assessing cardiovascular risk, especially if you already have risk factors such as high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, or a family history of stroke. The data do not suggest that occasional use is safe, nor do they prove that it is dangerous.
Several caveats matter. The research is preliminary and has not been peer reviewed. The design is cross-sectional, so it cannot establish cause and effect or timing, meaning people may have had strokes before using cannabis, perhaps for symptom relief. Self-reported use and diagnoses can be inaccurate, and confounders such as tobacco use, alcohol, and other lifestyle factors may influence results. The full paper should be checked for adjustments.
Key Findings
- Occasional marijuana use was linked to about 40% higher odds of self-reported stroke history in a survey of 440,000+ U.S. adults.
- The cardiovascular association appeared across consumption methods, including smoked and edible cannabis, and was not limited to frequent users.
- Past-month cannabis use among U.S. adults rose from 1 in 10 in 2020 to 1 in 6 in 2024.
- Researchers stress the study shows association only; cannabis has not been proven to directly cause stroke or heart disease.
- Authors recommend considering cannabis use in discussions of heart health and stroke prevention.
Methodology
This is a news report on preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2026, distributed via ScienceDaily. The analysis used cross-sectional, self-reported telephone survey data (BRFSS, 2020-2024) from more than 440,000 adults. Conference findings are generally not yet peer reviewed.
Study Limitations
The cross-sectional design cannot show causation or whether cannabis use preceded stroke, and self-reported use and diagnoses are prone to error. Confounders such as tobacco use, other substances, and lifestyle may not be fully controlled, and the preliminary results are not peer reviewed. Verify adjusted odds ratios, confidence intervals, and dose or frequency breakdowns in the full abstract or publication.
Enjoyed this summary?
Get the latest longevity research delivered to your inbox every week.
Enter your email to subscribe: