Cannabis use linked to higher heart attack risk during and after surgery, but fewer blood clots
As marijuana use becomes more common and legal in most U.S. states, patients who use cannabis may face a significantly higher risk of heart attack around the time of surgery, while also showing an unexpected lower risk of dangerous blood clots in the veins, suggests a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2026 annual meeting.
A recent study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2026 annual meeting suggests that cannabis use may be linked to a higher risk of heart attack during and after surgery, while also being associated with a lower risk of dangerous blood clots in the veins. The findings, based on data from 44,312 surgical patients across five studies, indicate that cannabis users have a 46% increased risk of myocardial infarction, or heart attack, compared to nonusers during or shortly after surgery.
However, there was a surprising 22% lower risk of venous thromboembolism, or blood clots in the veins, among cannabis users. The study's lead author, Nader D. Nader, emphasized the importance of anesthesiologists being aware of patients' cannabis use to take extra precautions during surgical procedures. Co-author Rose Berkun highlighted that this effect on blood clots does not mean cannabis has a protective effect, and more research is needed to understand the complex interaction between cannabis, heart health, and blood clotting.
The authors advised patients to disclose their cannabis use to their anesthesiologist and surgical team to ensure the safest care possible.
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