Heavy tobacco smoking during late adolescence was tied to a fivefold increase in stroke before age 45, but marijuana smoking had no impact on early stroke risk, according to a study of nearly 50,000 Swedish military conscripts.
Researchers found that using pot more than 50 times was not associated with an increased risk of stroke at age 45 or younger. Pot users did have a two-fold higher risk of stroke due to blood-vessel blockage, but the link was weakened after the researchers accounted for participants’ tobacco use.
Men who smoked at least 20 cigarettes a day, however, were at five times the risk of stroke before age 45, and more than two times the risk by age 60.
