Cannabis use tied to higher heart attack risk around surgery

· Health · United States

Patients who use cannabis may face a significantly higher risk of heart attack around the time of surgery, while also showing an unexpectedly lower risk of dangerous blood clots in the veins, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2026 annual meeting. A separate study at the same meeting found that patients who smoke or vape cannabis may need more anesthesia during an upper endoscopy than those who use edibles or do not use cannabis. Together the findings add to evidence that route and frequency of cannabis use matter for perioperative care, as marijuana becomes more common and legal in most U.S. states. The reports did not quantify the size of the added risks.

Why it matters：As cannabis use becomes mainstream, anesthesiologists need data on how it interacts with surgery, which could feed into pre-operative screening and dosing guidance.

Key points

  • Cannabis users showed a lower risk of venous blood clots in the same study.
  • Smoking or vaping cannabis was linked to higher anesthesia needs during endoscopy.
  • Both studies were presented at ANESTHESIOLOGY 2026.

Sources (original reporting)

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