Can Cannabis Cause Heart Problems? Here’s What That New Study Really Says
If you’ve seen headlines lately saying cannabis might increase your risk of heart attack or stroke, you’re not alone. A few patients have already emailed us asking, “Is this something I should be worried about?”
Let’s unpack the study that’s making the rounds — and talk about what it actually means for people using medicinal cannabis with us here at CannaPlus.
So, what’s the study all about?
A large review was published in the BMJ Heart journal in 2025. It pulled together 24 studies involving more than 430 million people to see if there’s a link between cannabis use and serious heart events — things like heart attacks, strokes, or even death from heart-related causes.
The researchers found that cannabis users had a higher chance of:
- Having a heart attack (about 29% higher risk)
- Having a stroke (20% higher)
- Dying from a cardiovascular cause (over double the risk)
It’s not hard to see why that caught people’s attention. But here’s the thing: most headlines didn’t explain what kind of cannabis use was being studied — and that’s where context really matters.
Recreational use is not the same as medicinal use
Almost all the data in the review looked at recreational cannabis use. That means high-THC products, often smoked, used without any guidance, and sometimes combined with things like alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. Only one study in the review involved prescribed medicinal cannabis — and it didn’t really go into much detail about dosing, product types, or clinical oversight.
So while the findings are interesting, they’re not looking at patients like you who are using regulated, doctor-prescribed products at carefully controlled doses.
Some important limitations to keep in mind
Most of the studies included were observational. That means they can show an association but can’t prove that cannabis caused the heart issues. A lot of the exposure data came from self-reports or hospital records, which aren’t always reliable or detailed. And there was a wide mix of patient types and risk factors that weren’t consistently controlled across the board.
In other words, the overall quality of evidence was quite variable. Even the authors of the study acknowledge that more research is needed — especially on medical cannabis used under clinical supervision.
So, should you be worried?
If you’re a CannaPlus patient, using medicinal cannabis that’s prescribed, monitored, and tailored to your health profile, this study doesn’t change anything about your current care.
That said, we already take cardiovascular risk into account when starting any cannabis-based treatment. If you have a history of heart disease, stroke, or high blood pressure, we often start with CBD-only formulations and build in regular check-ins to make sure you’re tolerating things well. Our priority is — and always has been — safe, individualised care.
Final thoughts
Studies like this are helpful reminders that cannabis isn’t risk-free. But it’s also a great example of why medical oversight matters. When used properly, medicinal cannabis can be a safe and effective part of a broader treatment plan.
If anything about this study has raised questions or concerns for you, feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to explain the science in plain English — and we’ll likely be sharing more thoughts on this topic soon via our blog or podcast.
Here’s the original paper if you want to take a look yourself: BMJ Heart – Cannabis and Cardiovascular Risk (2025)
Thanks again to those of you who flagged this. Keep the questions coming — we love that you’re staying informed and engaged.
