A new study has found that individuals younger than the age of 45 who recently used cannabis are at double the risk of suffering a heart attack in the next 30 days- and the link is even stronger in frequent users.

       The research, published today in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, adds to evidence from earlier studies showing a correlation between heavy cannabis use and myocardial infarction- the medical term for a heart attack- in hospital settings.

       The new study analysed medical data from over 33,000 American adults aged between 18 to 44, of whom 17 percent reported using cannabis in the previous 30 days.

       A heart attack occurred in 1.3 percent of those who used cannabis and 0.8 percent of non-users.

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       Those at the highest risk were male, cigarette smokers, vapers and heavy alcohol consumers.

       The research team added that those factors, plus others that increase the risk of a heart attack, were taken into account during the study.

       Lead researcher Dr Karim Ladha, a clinician scientist at Unity Health Toronto, said: “With recent legalisation and decriminalisation, cannabis use is increasing in young adults in North America, and we do not fully know its effects on cardiovascular health.”

       He added that the link was consistent across different forms of cannabis consumption, including smoking, vaping, and other methods such as edibles.

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