Relation of Cannabis Use to Elevated Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Score

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Public Health
• Cannabis Research

Background:

• Cannabis use is increasingly prevalent globally.
• A potential association between cannabis use and cardiovascular disease (CVD) events like stroke and myocardial infarction has been reported.
• The underlying mechanisms, particularly concerning CVD risk factors, require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between cannabis use and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.
• To determine if cannabis use is linked to elevated 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk (ASCVD) scores.
• To explore potential dose-response relationships between cannabis consumption frequency and CVD risk.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 7,159 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011-2018).
• Cannabis use self-reported; participants with prior stroke or myocardial infarction excluded.
• Cardiovascular risk assessed using the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association 10-year ASCVD score, categorized into low, borderline, intermediate, and high risk.

Main Results:

• Ever cannabis use was associated with a 60% increased odds of a high-risk ASCVD score (OR 1.60 [1.04 to 2.45], p=0.03).
• A dose-response relationship was observed: ≥2 cannabis uses/month increased high-risk ASCVD odds by 79% (OR 1.79 [1.10 to 2.92], p=0.02), and ≥1 use/day increased odds by 87% (OR 1.87 [1.16 to 3.01], p<0.001).
• Approximately 63.9% of participants reported ever using cannabis.

Conclusions:

• Cannabis use is significantly associated with elevated cardiovascular disease risk.
• Findings suggest that cannabis consumption may contribute to increased atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk.
• Recommendations include screening individuals using cannabis for CVD risk and implementing risk reduction strategies.