New Study Finds Young Marijuana Users May Face Higher Heart Attack Risk

New Study Finds Young Marijuana Users May Face Higher Heart Attack Risk

By YEET Magazine Staff, YEET Magazine
Published October 9, 2025


A new study shows that adults under 50 who use marijuana could face a much higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Learn what experts are saying and how it could affect your health.

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These are the lungs of a 10-year marijuana user. They are not supposed to look like this. People think it’s harmless, but this is what long-term use actually does to your body. Smoke at your own risk.

If you think weed is harmless, think again. A major new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) suggests that adults under 50 who use marijuana are six times more likely to have a heart attackthan people who don’t use it.

The research looked at over 4.6 million adults and found some pretty worrying links between cannabis and heart problems.

“This isn’t about demonizing marijuana — it’s about understanding the risks,” researchers said in the study. “Heart and blood vessel health can be affected by regular cannabis use.”

📖 Read the full study here


💔 What the Study Found

Here’s the simple version:
People who use weed — especially young adults — could face serious heart problems down the line.

According to the study:

  • Marijuana users under 50 are 6x more likely to have a heart attack.
  • They’re 4x more likely to have a stroke.
  • 3x more likely to face major heart or blood vessel problems.
  • 2x more likely to develop heart failure.

These numbers shocked a lot of experts because weed is often seen as a “safe” drug compared to cigarettes or alcohol. But the truth is, it may put more stress on your heart than you think.

“ Well after 15 years of using marijuana almost daily, I have to stop. I have something called Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome which makes me feel deathly ill. As of today, I am 7 days sober. Here's to new beginnings I guess.”

🧠 What Could Be Happening Inside Your Body

Researchers believe marijuana might affect the heart by:

  • Increasing heart rate and blood pressure
  • Lowering oxygen levels in the blood
  • Causing inflammation in blood vessels
  • Affecting the way blood clots

When combined, these effects can raise the risk of a heart attack — especially if you already have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or smoke cigarettes.

🗣️ What Experts Are Saying

Doctors are urging people — especially under 50 — to think twice before using marijuana regularly.

“Just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s safe,” says Dr. Andrew Freeman, a cardiologist not involved in the study. “People should treat cannabis like any other substance that can affect the heart.”

If you use weed, experts suggest talking to your doctor about your heart health, especially if you notice chest pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath.

🎧 Want to Learn More?

The topic is also discussed on the “Change Your Brain Every Day” podcast — available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and YouTube. The episode breaks down how weed may impact both your brain and your heart.


💬 The Bottom Line

Cannabis might be legal in more places than ever, but that doesn’t mean it’s risk-free.
This new research is a wake-up call — especially for people who see marijuana as a “natural” or “safe” way to relax.

Heart health matters, and now it’s clear: weed could play a bigger role in heart attacks than anyone thought.


Sources:


  • Does smoking weed cause heart attacks?
  • Is marijuana safe for your heart?
  • Can edibles cause heart problems?
  • Weed vs tobacco: which is worse for your heart?
  • What happens to your blood pressure when you smoke weed?
  • How much weed is too much for your body?
  • Marijuana and anxiety: is it connected to heart problems?
  • What does THC do to your brain and heart?
  • Can quitting weed improve heart health?
  • Is vaping weed better than smoking it?
  • What’s the difference between CBD and THC for heart health?
  • Can weed cause chest pain?
  • Why is my heart racing after smoking weed?
  • How to calm down after too much THC
  • Can marijuana cause heart failure?
  • What are the signs of a weed-induced heart attack?
  • Does weed increase stroke risk?
  • What’s safer — edibles or joints?
  • How does marijuana affect your blood flow?
  • Is marijuana addictive?
  • How does weed affect sleep and stress?
  • What happens to your body after quitting weed?
  • Marijuana use and mental health: what’s the link?
  • Can weed cause panic attacks?
  • How long does weed stay in your system?
  • Why are young adults at higher heart risk?
  • Does marijuana affect cholesterol?
  • Is marijuana bad for your lungs or your heart?
  • Are CBD products safe for people with heart issues?
  • Does cannabis interact with medication?
  • How to use marijuana safely (if you do)
  • What’s the healthiest way to consume weed?
  • Why does weed make my heart race?
  • Can cannabis use lead to sudden cardiac arrest?
  • Is weed worse for the heart than alcohol?
  • How does marijuana affect exercise and recovery?
  • Should I stop smoking weed if I have heart disease?
  • Does medical marijuana have the same risks?
  • Are heart attacks from weed common?
  • How to know if weed is causing your heart issues
  • What’s the safest amount of weed to use weekly?
  • How to talk to your doctor about weed use
  • What’s the science behind weed and blood pressure?
  • Can cannabis cause heart inflammation?
  • Does THC affect oxygen levels?
  • Are young people more sensitive to weed effects?
  • Weed myths vs facts: what’s true?
  • How to protect your heart health in your 30s
  • Can marijuana be part of a healthy lifestyle?

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