Research study · Cureus · 2026
Cannabis Use Disorder Is Associated With Increased Risk of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Adults With Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) Cirrhosis: A Population-Based Analysis
Verified on PubMed Clinical Evidence Analysis
A 2026 study in Cureus tested cannabis in cannabis use. The results showed an increased risk of heart attacks among patients with the liver disease who also had a cannabis use disorder. This finding suggests that for patients hospitalized with advanced liver disease, a history of problematic cannabis use should prompt closer monitoring for heart.
In plain language
Study overview
Researchers examined hospital records across the United States from 2016 to 2020 to understand how problematic cannabis use affects patients hospitalized with advanced liver damage caused by metabolic dysfunction (a condition involving liver fat accumulation and inflammation). They compared adults with this specific liver disease who had a cannabis use disorder against those who did not, while accounting for age, gender, race, and other health conditions.
Findings
The results showed an increased risk of heart attacks among patients with the liver disease who also had a cannabis use disorder. Specifically, these patients faced more than double the likelihood of experiencing a heart attack during their hospital stay compared to liver disease patients without a cannabis disorder. However, cannabis use disorder was not linked to higher overall death rates in the hospital or a greater number of overall major heart events.
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The deeper readScientific analysis
Introduction: Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is encountered among hospitalized adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) cirrhosis. Both conditions are independently associated with adverse cardiometabolic profiles, raising concern for potential cardiovascular complications when they coexist. This study evaluated the association between CUD and acute myocardial infarction (MI) among hospitalized adults with MASH cirrhosis. Methods: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of the National Inpatient Sample from 2016 to 2020, including adults aged ≥18 years hospitalized with MASH cirrhosis. CUD was identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codes. Multivariable logistic and Poisson regression models were used to examine associations between CUD and acute MI, in-hospital mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events, hepatic decompensation, length of stay, and hospitalization costs, adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, and hospital characteristics. Results: Among 57,754 hospitalizations for MASH cirrhosis, 539 involved patients with CUD. CUD was associated with a significantly higher likelihood of acute MI (adjusted odds ratio 2.18; 95% CI 1.30-3.63). No significant associations were observed between CUD and in-hospital mortality or overall major adverse cardiovascular events. CUD was associated with lower odds of hepatic decompensation. Hospitalizations involving CUD were associated with lower adjusted costs, while length of stay did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusion: Among hospitalized adults with MASH cirrhosis, CUD was associated with a higher risk of acute MI but not with increased in-hospital mortality or overall major adverse cardiovascular events. These findings underscore the importance of cardiovascular risk assessment and CUD identification in this population. As this was an observational cross-sectional study, the findings represent associations and do not establish causality.
The paper
Citation
Njei B, Boateng S, Kwentoh I, Ameyaw P, Ezeani C, Nso N, et al. Cannabis Use Disorder Is Associated With Increased Risk of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Adults With Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) Cirrhosis: A Population-Based Analysis. Cureus (2026). PubMed 41822655 · DOI
Limitations the authors noted
Retrospective cross-sectional design using administrative data prevents causal inference. Lack of specific data regarding cannabis dose, frequency, route of administration, or duration of use. Reliance on International Classification of Diseases coding introduces potential for misclassification and coding inaccuracies. Absence of outpatient medication records and liver disease severity scoring systems such as MELD or Child-Pugh scores.
In practice
Why this matters
This finding suggests that for patients hospitalized with advanced liver disease, a history of problematic cannabis use should prompt closer monitoring for heart attacks, even though it does not appear to increase the risk of death or other major heart events during the stay.
Frequently asked questions
Clinical Questions & Answers
What were the primary clinical findings regarding Cannabis and Cannabis use?
The results showed an increased risk of heart attacks among patients with the liver disease who also had a cannabis use disorder. Specifically, these patients faced more than double the likelihood of experiencing a heart attack during their hospital stay compared to liver disease patients without a cannabis disorder. However, cannabis use disorder was not linked to higher overall death rates in the hospital or a greater number of overall major heart events.
What study limitations or clinical safeguards should patients keep in mind?
Retrospective cross-sectional design using administrative data prevents causal inference. Lack of specific data regarding cannabis dose, frequency, route of administration, or duration of use. Reliance on International Classification of Diseases coding introduces potential for misclassific...
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Reviewed by Dr. Caplan on October 27, 2026.
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