CAN CBD HELP IN HEART DISEASE TREATMENT?

Cannabidiol cannot cure congestive heart failure or any heart disease. However, it helps prevent heart disease and reduce its symptoms. This article discusses how CBD helps prevent heart disease.

Heart disease is among the most feared chronic disease. It occurs when the cardiovascular system fails to work as it should, leading to inefficient performance of blood vessels. Treating heart disease is a complex procedure requiring efficient medical professionals to work together and protect patients from heart attacks or stroke. Besides surgery, certain medications are also designed and approved to treat heart conditions. Unfortunately, some of these medications have strong effects and side effects on those using them. CBD has many desirable traits, making it a safer option to help make symptoms of heart disease manageable. Ever asked yourself whether CBD help in heart disease treatment? Read more to find a detailed answer.

How CBD Oil Helps in Heart Disease

Heart disease exists in different forms. Some are life-threatening, while others are mild. CBD is a useful supplement for reducing symptoms of heart diseases. In some cases, CBD helps mitigate the root cause of this health condition. Zhang et al.  (2022) showed that CBD benefits individuals with atrial fibrillation. This ailment is linked to inflammatory and anxiety causes. Corroon& Phillips (2018)  explained that people with cardiovascular disease could use CBD to relieve symptoms like inflammation, depression, insomnia, and anxiety.

How CBD Reduces Risks of Heart Disease

Controls Blood Pressure

Bergamaschi et al. (2011) explained that CBD could assist in controlling blood pressure levels. High blood pressure is linked to congestive heart failure. It disrupts how blood flows throughout the body and overworks the heart. Abnormal high blood pressure levels slowly damage the body. Hypertension destroys arteries, which may promote internal bleeding, leading to life-threatening consequences. When the heart is overworked, coronary artery and heart failure occur, causing chest pains and heart attacks. According to Garza et al. (2020),  CBD lowers blood pressure and reduces the likelihood of suffering from cardiovascular disease by widening blood vessels and improving blood flow. CBD enables healthy individuals to maintain the appropriate blood pressure levels and stay protected from heart disease.

Reduces Cholesterol Levels

Jastrząb et al.  (2021) discovered that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that help lower cholesterol levels, thus maintaining a healthy heart. High cholesterol levels lead to cardiovascular diseases. Bad cholesterol leads to blockage of blood vessels, leading to cases of stroke or heart attack. Lobato et al.  (2013) showed that Cannabidiol contains positive traits that relax arterial walls and decrease cholesterol. More so, Steinberg& Kemp (2009) reported that CBD boosts the good cholesterol in the body, which serves various useful functions in maintaining good health.

Weight Management

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important to avoid heart disease. CBD has served as a reliable supplement for weight management for many years. It promotes the conversion of fat cells into easily burnable calories. According to Weekly (2022), CBD also decreases food intake in individuals and boosts metabolism. By increasing the metabolic rate, CBD makes the weight loss journey easier and more successful.

Reducing Abnormal Heartbeats (Arrhythmias)

Heart arrhythmias strike when the body's electrical impulses, which control heartbeats, fail to work properly. These irregular signals make the heart beat oddly, either too slow, too fast, or irregularly. Some heart arrhythmias are not harmful, but others can be serious. Gonca& Darıcı (2015) suggested that CBD is cardioprotective because it reduces ventricular arrhythmias. Its antiarrhythmic effects make it a superb supplement for managing irregular heartbeats, which can cause heart dysfunction.

How You Can Use CBD For Heart Diseases

Heart disease is a critical illness that needs the oversight of experienced medical professionals. Without consulting cardiovascular experts, patients should not use CBD to manage heart condition symptoms. However, Page et al.  (2020) noted that CBD assists in managing heart disease symptoms like chest pain, excess sweating, and heart attacks need emergency medical services.

What’s The Best CBD Product to Use for Heart Disease?

Most CBD products are ideal for managing heart disease. A person can choose various products, such as gummies, capsules, oils, tinctures, edibles, vape oils, suppositories, and CBD-infused coffee. However, CBD tinctures, capsules, and oils provide more distinct effects than other options for heart disease. CBD tinctures and oils are excellent because they are absorbed in the bloodstream easily and offer cannabidiol properties instantly. CBD capsules are second best because of their convenience in dosing and long-lasting effects.

CBD Dosage Guidelines for Heart Disease

High-Strength CBD Is For;

• Inflammatory conditions
• Coronary artery disease
• Atherosclerosis
• Anxiety
• High blood pressure

Medium-Strength CBD Is For;

• High cholesterol
• Coronary artery disease
• Anxiety
• Inflammatory conditions

Low-Strength CBD Is For;

• High cholesterol
• Mild anxiety

How Can You Optimize CBD Supplementation?

• Use CBD orally for fast, long-lasting, and effective effects
• Make lifestyle and dietary changes
• Avoid alcohol and tobacco products
• Use full-spectrum extracts
• Consult the doctor to ensure CBD will not negatively interact with heart disease medications you are using
• Make CBD a long-term supplement for good results

Can CBD Interact with Cardiovascular Medications?

According to Iffland& Grotenhermen (2017), CBD interacts with certain heart medications leading to adverse side effects. Although CBD alone is harmless and safe for use, it can increase the severity of side effects from some drugs. Medications that can worsen side effects because of negative interaction with CBD include;

• Blood thinners
• Diuretics
• Calcium channel blockers
• Statin drugs
• Alpha-blockers
• ACE inhibitors
• Beta-blockers
• Central Agonists
• Peripheral Adrenergic Inhibitors

What Heart Diseases Can CBD Help With?

Cardiovascular or heart diseases include any condition affecting the blood vessels and heart. Some of the health issues that affect how the heart functions, which CBD can help to prevent or manage, include;

• Coronary Artery Disease
• Cardiomyopathy
• Atrial Fibrillation
• Congestive Heart Failure
• Congenital Heart Disease
• Heart attack

Conclusion

CBD does not cure heart diseases; instead, it helps prevent heart disease development by lowering blood pressure, reducing inflammation, controlling cholesterol levels, decreasing irregular heartbeats, and promoting a healthy weight. The conventional treatment alternatives for heart conditions are medications, stress-reduction techniques, and lifestyle/dietary changes. However, taking CBD will also promote wellness in individuals dealing with heart disease.

References

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Corroon, J., & Phillips, J. A. (2018). A cross-sectional study of cannabidiol users. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 3(1), 152-161.

Garza-Cervantes, J. A., Ramos-González, M., Lozano, O., Jerjes-Sánchez, C., & García-Rivas, G. (2020). Therapeutic applications of cannabinoids in cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2020.

Gonca, E., & Darıcı, F. (2015). The effect of Cannabidiol on ischemia/reperfusion-induced ventricular arrhythmias: the role of adenosine A1 receptors. Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology and therapeutics, 20(1), 76-83.

Iffland, K., & Grotenhermen, F. (2017). An update on safety and side effects of Cannabidiol: a review of clinical data and relevant animal studies. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 2(1), 139-154.

Jastrząb, A., Jarocka-Karpowicz, I., Markowska, A., Wroński, A., Gęgotek, A., & Skrzydlewska, E. (2021). Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of Cannabidiol contributes to the decreased lipid peroxidation of keratinocytes of rat skin exposed to UV radiation. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2021.

Lobato, N. S., Filgueira, F. P., Prakash, R., Giachini, F. R., Ergul, A., Carvalho, M. H. C., ... & Fortes, Z. B. (2013). Reduced endothelium-dependent relaxation to anandamide in mesenteric arteries from young obese Zucker rats. PLoS One, 8(5), e63449.

Page, R. L., Allen, L. A., Kloner, R. A., Carriker, C. R., Martel, C., Morris, A. A., ... & Saucedo, J. F. (2020). Medical marijuana, recreational cannabis, and cardiovascular health: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 142(10), e131-e152.

Steinberg, G. R., & Kemp, B. E. (2009). AMPK in health and disease. Physiological reviews, 89(3), 1025-1078.

Weekly, L. A. (2022). Best Fat Burner For Belly Fat. Culture.

Zhang, X. L., Wang, T. Y., Chen, Z., Wang, H. W., Yin, Y., Wang, L., ... & Xu, W. (2022). HMGB1‐Promoted Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Contribute to Cardiac Diastolic Dysfunction in Mice. Journal of the American Heart Association, 11(4), e023800.