New Research Finds Shared Heart Health Risks Between Smoking and Eating Cannabis

A growing body of research has long recognized the health risks associated with smoking cannabis, particularly its impact on the cardiovascular system. However, a recent study published in The Journal of the American Heart Association has revealed a surprising connection: ingesting cannabis via edibles may carry similar heart health risks as smoking it.

The peer-reviewed study, led by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, analyzed health data from over 430,000 adults, making it one of the most extensive investigations into cannabis use and cardiovascular outcomes to date. Researchers found that individuals who consumed marijuana regularly—whether by smoking, vaping, or eating edibles—demonstrated a statistically significant increase in their risk of heart failure and stroke compared to non-users.

Of particular interest was the finding that method of consumption did not appear to significantly alter the associated cardiovascular risks. This discovery challenges previous assumptions that edibles were a safer alternative to smoking marijuana.

The study controlled for other known risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and body mass index, making the results even more noteworthy. Regular cannabis users, defined in the study as those who used marijuana more than once a month, were 34% more likely to experience heart failure than non-users. Stroke risk also increased, though to a lesser extent.

Dr. Robert Page, chair of the American Heart Association’s volunteer writing group on cannabis and cardiovascular health, emphasized that while cannabis has shown potential for certain medical applications, its widespread recreational use deserves closer scrutiny. “Cannabis is not harmless,” he noted, calling for more awareness around its long-term health implications.

The results come at a pivotal moment, as cannabis continues to gain legal and cultural acceptance across the United States. With nearly half of American adults reporting some form of cannabis use in their lifetime, public health officials warn that both consumers and healthcare providers need to better understand the nuanced risks—especially for those with preexisting cardiovascular conditions.

In response to the findings, researchers are calling for more targeted studies to explore the physiological mechanisms behind cannabis-related heart risks and to inform future health guidelines.

As cannabis policy continues to evolve nationwide, this research adds a vital layer to the ongoing conversation—reminding users that “natural” does not always mean risk-free.

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