Does CBD Help People With High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure is a serious condition that can lead to heart attack and stroke. Some research suggests that CBD has cardiovascular benefits. One study demonstrated CBD can widen blood vessels to improve blood flow, while another lowered blood pressure after a single dose in individuals at rest and under stress. More research is needed on CBD benefits for high blood pressure. Because CBD can interact with other medications, patients should discuss CBD with a doctor before using it.
High blood pressure is defined as a consistently high force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls. The heart creates pressure when it beats, sending blood throughout the network of arteries, capillaries and veins in the body. Systolic pressure occurs when blood pumps out of the heart, and diastolic pressure happens when the heart rests between beats.
How Does High Blood Pressure Cause Harm?
The heart and blood vessels work harder when blood pressure is high, and the work is less efficient. The force of high blood pressure can damage tissue inside the arteries, allowing cholesterol to form plaque in the small tears in the artery walls. This condition is called atherosclerosis. Undiagnosed high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke and other serious conditions.
What Are Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure?
Physical or hereditary risk factors include:
- Family history: This includes parents or close relatives.
- Gender: Men are more likely to have high blood pressure before age 64. After that, women are more likely to have it.
- Age: The aging process causes blood vessels to decrease in elasticity. High blood pressure, however, can also occur in children and young people.
- Race: In the United States, the Black population is most likely to develop high blood pressure.
If you have chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure can be a symptom.
What About CBD Benefits for High Blood Pressure?
Some research proposes that CBD has cardiovascular benefits. One study shows CBD may improve blood flow by widening blood vessels in rats and humans, suggesting that CBD is a natural vasodilator.
Another study involved a single dose of CBD oil in healthy individuals. Researchers observed that it reduced blood pressure in participants who were under stress and those at rest. These results suggest CBD stimulates calming effects.
However, CBD can interact with other heart medications, so patients should talk to their doctor before using CBD for hypertension.
