Cannabis Use: A New Risk Behaviour Among Adults With Congenital Heart Disease

Cannabis use has increased in Canada and can be associated with adverse cardiovascular events. Given increased use and accessibility to cannabis, there is a need among clinicians to better understand cannabis use in adults with congenital heart disease.

A cross-sectional survey (May to September 2018) was used to investigate cannabis use among 252 patients with adult congenital heart disease in a quaternary care centre.

Of the 252 patients, 53 (21%) reported using cannabis. The majority of cannabis users were men (62%), between the ages of 25 and 39 years (mean age = 32 ± 16 years), and more likely to use tobacco (n = 9, 17%; P = 0.001) and alcohol (n = 37, 60%; P = 0.001). Significant differences (P = 0.011) were found between the age of onset for tobacco use among cannabis users (mean age: 16 ± 8 years) and non-cannabis users (mean age: 20 ± 3 years). Users reported consuming cannabis for recreational purposes (n = 29, 55%), anxiety (n = 22, 42%), depression (n = 15, 28%), and pain management (n = 4, 8%).

This study supports our clinical experience that a high proportion of patients with adult congenital heart disease use cannabis. Cannabis users represent a patient population who may demonstrate less optimal health behaviours, including tobacco and alcohol use. Assessment of cannabis use should be an integral part of risk behaviour and cardiovascular risk profile at each clinic visit. Given the current legalization of cannabis in Canada and the growing increase of cannabis use, educational support should be provided to patients and caregivers.