SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
New research is adding to questions about cannabis and cardiovascular health, with a preliminary analysis finding an association between recent use and a reported history of stroke.
Released November 2 by the American Heart Association, the findings draw on surveys of 442,906 U.S. adults from jurisdictions that collected cannabis information between 2020 and 2024.
People reporting use on one to five days monthly had 40% higher odds of reporting stroke than nonusers. Those reporting use on 16 to 30 days had 25% higher odds. These are relative odds, not percentage-point increases in an individual’s future risk.
“We were surprised to find that the link between cannabis use and cardiovascular disease was not straightforward,” said study author Aabha Divya of Tulane University.
The survey cannot establish whether cannabis caused disease or whether use preceded a stroke. Responses relied on memory, and researchers lacked product-potency and dose information. The conference findings remain preliminary pending publication as a full peer-reviewed paper.
The report also creates an opportunity to revisit stroke awareness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, warning signs can include sudden one-sided weakness, difficulty speaking, vision changes, dizziness or loss of balance, and a severe unexplained headache.
The CDC’s B.E. F.A.S.T. reminder covers balance, eyes, face, arms, speech and time to call 911. Note when symptoms began and request an ambulance instead of driving to the hospital.
Symptoms that disappear after a few minutes still need medical attention because they may signal a transient ischemic attack. For families, recognizing a possible stroke and responding promptly remains an immediate action they can take while researchers continue investigating cannabis-related associations.