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Pal Pacher

Senior Investigator, National Institutes of Health

Expertise: Cardiovascular health

CNN article accurately reports an increased risk of heart attack from cannabis use in young people, but lacks context on difference between absolute and relative risk

“Yes, it’s true that the data suggest a “doubling” of risk for cardiac problems in cannabis users, but the article confuses “absolute” risk and “relative” risk. Those who don’t use cannabis have cardiac problems at a rate a little below 1%. Those who use cannabis have cardiac problems at a rate a little above 1%. It’s still REALLY unlikely. The fact that it has DOUBLED stems from the low prevalence in the first place.”