New Delhi: Tobacco and marijuana use are projected to significantly increase heart disease-related deaths by 50% over the next five years, according to two recent studies. The findings indicate that tobacco consumption alone could lead to a 40% rise in deaths from coronary heart disease.

Additionally, individuals with cannabis use disorder face a 50% higher risk of serious cardiac events, including cardiogenic shock, heart attacks, and irregular heart rhythms. These studies were presented at the ongoing 2025 Scientific Sessions of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) in Washington, DC.

“Despite major public health campaigns to raise awareness for the harms of tobacco and cannabis, usage is still commonplace as we continue to see their effects on cardiovascular health,” said James B. Hermiller, SCAI President.

Ischemic heart disease, or coronary heart disease, occurs when the heart's function declines due to restricted blood flow caused by narrowed or blocked coronary arteries.
Researchers from Wayne State University in the US examined data from 1999 to 2020, focusing on tobacco-related deaths from ischemic heart disease among individuals aged 25 and above. Their analysis predicts a 43.7% rise in such deaths by 2030. While mortality rates among women have shown a decline, men have experienced a notable increase in deaths.

“Tobacco-related ischemic heart disease is not just a problem of the past. It is still a major cause of death today. If we hope to design more targeted interventions, it’s vital for clinicians to recognise vulnerable groups are disproportionately affected,” said Roopeessh Vempati from the varsity.

Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) is characterized by a problematic pattern of cannabis consumption that leads to significant distress or disruption in daily functioning.
In a study conducted by researchers at Sinai Hospital in the US, data from 1,372,419 patients hospitalized with heart failure were analyzed. The findings showed that individuals with both heart failure and CUD faced a notably higher risk of severe cardiovascular complications: a 27% increased risk of cardiogenic shock, a 50% higher risk of acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), and a 48% greater risk of arrhythmias.
Interestingly, despite these elevated risks, patients with both CUD and heart failure had a lower overall mortality rate compared to heart failure patients without CUD.

“Despite a lower chance of death, they are at significantly greater odds of developing other related cardiovascular conditions like heart attack or irregular heartbeat. This understanding is necessary for doctors and public health professionals to warn individuals of the potential side effects of consistent cannabis use from the start, even before heart failure occurs,” said Syed Ishaq, MD, Internal Medicine resident at the Sinai Hospital.

tobaccomarijuanaheart diseasedeathscannabisCUD

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Rishabh Verma
Rishabh Verma