Can CBD Help to Manage Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure is a condition that can put you at severe risk for health issues like heart attack and stroke. 

Although millions of individuals live with high blood pressure, taking steps to manage your blood pressure can go a long way for your health.

There is growing evidence to suggest cannabidiol (CBD) has the power to play a significant role in treating a variety of health conditions. From mental health issues like anxiety and depression to neurological conditions, CBD’s ability to address medical symptoms continues to help millions find relief. 

Read on to learn more about how CBD can affect blood pressure and whether the cannabis plant can help you get yours under control.

Key takeaways

• High blood pressure (hypertension) is a health condition that can raise the risk of heart attack, stroke, and metabolic disorders.
• While more research is needed, some studies have shown CBD's potential to reduce blood pressure in certain doses.
• Factors like smoking, being overweight, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol consumption, high sodium intake, and stress can all contribute to high blood pressure. 
• Consulting a trained healthcare professional is the best way to find proper treatment for high blood pressure.

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What is blood pressure?

Your blood pressure levels can tell your doctor a lot about your health.

Blood pressure is the term used to describe the force of the blood flow pushing against the body’s artery walls. It is typically measured as two numbers: systolic, which means when the heart beats, and diastolic, which means when the heart rests. 

High blood pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common condition.

However, due to the lack of present symptoms, many individuals with high blood pressure go undiagnosed. This is problematic as untreated hypertension can lead to serious health issues such as stroke and heart attack.

Low blood pressure

While high blood pressure can present a problem for your health, so can low blood pressure. Making healthy lifestyle changes, such as through diet and exercise, can help you manage your blood pressure and maintain good health overall. 

Certain risk factors for high blood pressure include age, race, and a family history of high blood pressure. 

How to monitor blood pressure

Monitoring your blood pressure properly can offer your medical team valuable insight into your cardiovascular health. Some different types of blood pressure readings include:

Arterial blood pressure

Arterial blood pressure is the term used to describe the force exerted by the blood on the artery walls, which are the blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. 

Diastolic blood pressure

“Diastolic” is the term used to describe the bottom number of a blood pressure reading, which measures the pressure in your arteries during the time your heart rests between beats. 

Ambulatory blood pressure

“Ambulatory” blood pressure refers to the overall concept of measuring blood pressure outside a clinic setting. This usually involves the use of a portable 24-hour blood pressure monitor, which can provide a clearer picture of blood pressure fluctuations than just a single doctor’s office reading can provide. 

What may cause high blood pressure?

The body's cardiovascular system is complex.

Various factors contribute to high blood pressure, including:

• Smoking
• Being overweight
• Lack of exercise
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• High sodium intake
• Stress

While high blood pressure can present itself without underlying causes, avoiding the above factors can help you maintain a healthy blood pressure.

Does CBD lower blood pressure?

While further research is needed, there is hope on the horizon for individuals seeking a more natural regimen for reducing high blood pressure. 

According to several studies, cannabidiol may reduce blood pressure through its interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system. It's the system that is partly responsible for regulating bodily functions like blood pressure.

How does CBD reduce blood pressure?

Several studies have explored the correlation between CBD use and reduced blood pressure.

A recent systematic review of data collected from animal and human studies supports this, suggesting that CBD does indeed have the potential to reduce blood pressure.

Hyper H21 4 Trial

The HYPER-H21-4 Trial provides a valuable glimpse into CBD’s potential in helping reduce blood pressure, suggesting that supplementing CBD may safely reduce blood pressure in participating patients. 

This randomized, placebo-controlled crossover pilot study explored potential mechanisms for CBD-induced reduction of blood pressure and concluded that 5 weeks of CBD supplementation led to a reduction in 24-hour mean arterial blood pressure in hypertensive patients. A sub-analysis also demonstrated that CBD supplementation decreased serum catestatin concentrations.

And, in another randomized crossover study of healthy volunteers, it was found that CBD reduced systolic blood pressure by an average of 6 mmHg in participants diagnosed with high blood pressure.  Another study found that CBD reduced diastolic blood pressure in those with high blood pressure over a period of 8 weeks. 

The link between CBD and stress

Another way CBD may help reduce blood pressure is by inhibiting the release of stress hormones in the body. Adrenaline is one example of a stress hormone that can raise blood pressure. 

Beyond reducing blood pressure, CBD can also be helpful in improving blood vessel function as well as reducing inflammation. Both of these factors can contribute to high blood pressure in individuals. 

Signs of heart disease

Blood pressure reduction is crucial if you are hoping to prevent cardiovascular disorders in the future.

While some individuals with heart disease may experience no symptoms in the disease’s early stages, other individuals exhibit certain symptoms that can lead to earlier diagnosis. These can include

• Shortness of breath
• Swelling in the feet, legs, or ankles
• Irregular heartbeat
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Sweating
• Indigestion
• Heart palpitations
• Angina (chest pain occurring during exertion or stress)
• Heart attack

Taking prescribed antihypertensive medications is just one way to safely lower blood pressure and prevent cardiovascular disease.

For those seeking a more natural remedy for high blood pressure, approved nonprescription CBD products (like gummies with CBD and THC) may help.

Bonus: How Long Does Weed Last in Saliva? A Quick Guide

Preventing cardiovascular disease

Untreated high blood pressure is one of the most significant risk factors for heart failure. A reduction in blood pressure may be able to help you prevent heart disease before it develops.

Whether you are hoping to incorporate more exercise, stress reduction techniques, or a healthier diet into your lifestyle, there are various ways to improve your health through lifestyle change.

If you are dealing with high blood pressure, there are several steps you can take to manage it properly and improve your overall health. Some of these include:

• Healthy diet
• Regular exercise
• Healthy body mass index (BMI)
• Limited alcohol
• No smoking
• Regular check-ups
• Adequate sleep

Healthy diet

Following a heart-healthy diet is one of the best things you can do to manage your weight and your overall health. 

Focusing on a diet filled with lean protein, vegetables, fruits, and grains can help you maintain a healthy weight as well as get the proper nutrients you need for optimal energy. Food supplements can also help you get the necessary nutrients.

Limiting salt intake, processed foods, unhealthy fats, and sugars is important when following a heart-healthy diet.

Regular exercise

It can be difficult to put into play, but embarking on a regular exercise regimen can help you maintain fitness and a healthy weight as you age. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), adults should engage in a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week. From walking to swimming and sports like basketball and tennis, there are various ways to enjoy exercise to keep your blood pressure under control. 

Healthy BMI

Having a high BMI can increase the risk of hypertension due to the heart needing to work harder to pump blood to supply a larger body size’s cells. Additionally, a high BMI can damage kidneys and contribute to insulin resistance, which also causes changes to your blood pressure. 

The good news is that losing even a small amount of weight to reach a healthier weight can help reduce blood pressure and lower the risk of hypertension-related health issues. 

Limited alcohol

Limiting alcohol intake is important when aiming to regulate blood pressure.

Consuming alcohol, even in seemingly moderate amounts, has the potential to raise blood pressure. This can occur within minutes of ingestion and is dose-dependent, which means the more alcohol you consume, the greater the increase in blood pressure. 

No smoking

Smoking can be a significant factor in high blood pressure. That’s because nicotine, the primary addictive substance in cigarettes, causes the release of hormones called norepinephrine and epinephrine, which constrict blood vessels and raise blood pressure. 

Smoking nicotine may also increase the production of carbon monoxide, which can reduce the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity. This can lead to a further increase in blood pressure. 

Regular check-ups

Scheduling regular check-ups with your doctor can help you identify health trends before they become problematic.

Your doctor's ability to perform blood work every 6 months to a year can help you form a baseline for crucial markers. By keeping up with regular appointments, your doctor can make the proper diagnoses and recommend treatment, such as lifestyle changes to reverse some conditions.

Adequate sleep

Sleep is critical for regulating blood pressure as the body’s parasympathetic nervous system is activated during non-REM sleep. This can cause a lower heart rate and reduce blood pressure, allowing the body’s cardiovascular system to recover. 

Certain sleep disorders like insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and irregular sleep patterns are all strongly linked to hypertension. This is because conditions like OSA can cause your blood oxygen levels to drop as you sleep, which leads to a faster heart rate and thus increased blood pressure. 

Getting a proper diagnosis for a sleep condition and using the proper therapies, such as a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) in cases where sleep apnea is present, can significantly improve blood pressure over a period of time.

Medical cannabis and metabolic syndromes

Hypertension is a key component of metabolic syndrome. This is the term used to describe a group of conditions that includes high blood sugar, abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as excess body fat around the waist.

This syndrome is diagnosed when an individual has at least three of the above conditions. This can significantly increase the chances of developing conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. 

The following factors may contribute to metabolic conditions:

• High-fat diet
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Excessive consumption of salt and sugar

Diabetes mellitus is just one example of a group of metabolic disorders.

CBD supplementation for health

Taking prescribed antihypertensive medications is not the only effective method to lower blood pressure.

Although the effects of CBD on high blood pressure are not fully understood and more research is needed, the cannabis sativa plant has shown potential in helping to alleviate symptoms associated with various acute and severe health conditions.

Several forms of CBD show potential to reduce blood pressure. Whether ingesting CBD edibles, tinctures, or smoking CBD flower, there are various ways to use CBD to potentially reduce blood pressure and provide relief from other medical issues.

Only trained healthcare professionals can help you determine the best remedy for high blood pressure.

Conclusion

Hearing from a doctor that you have high blood pressure can be frightening, but it is important not to panic.

While prescribed antihypertensive medications are highly useful in treating high blood pressure, alternative therapies like CBD may present a viable option for some individuals.

Conducting your own research into the effects of CBD and taking steps to improve your health through lifestyle changes can help you regulate your blood pressure and enjoy greater health overall. 

Keep Reading: The 5 Best Cannabis Terpenes For Anxiety

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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The content on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other healthcare professional. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or health concerns.