CBD oil for your heart
Heart diseases are the leading causes of death in Europe and the United States.
The relationship between CBD and heart disease is complicated. Not only are the many factors contributing to cardiovascular disease (CVD) very numerous, but in some cases (which we will expose to you soon), scientists are not entirely sure of the mechanism of action of CBD.
But there are a few things we can be sure of with CBD. Whether you look at statistics from Europe or the United States, cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death. In 2017, 45% of all deaths in Europe were due to cardiovascular disease. And while it may seem shocking to present an introduction to this topic, it hardly shows the devastating impact of CVD. In response, more and more public venues are choosing to invest in a defibrillator, such as a Zoll AED Plus device, and consequently, people’s lives have already been saved.
CBD oil as a treatment
Thanks to the new European laws, we have a gentle approach to treatment, with the use of CBD, and in particular CBD oils. Nowadays it is very easy and affordable to buy from a trusted CBD shop online such as Justbob.
Fortunately, there are many medications to help treat cardiovascular disease, but many of them cause significant side effects. Given the prevalence of cardiovascular disease, scientists around the world are continually looking for effective treatments with minimal side effects. A regularly recommended compound for this post is CBD, and while much of the research on this versatile cannabinoid is preclinical, there are some encouraging signs.
Before discovering what studies suggest about the effectiveness of CBD, we need to understand precisely what cardiovascular disease is.
What are cardiovascular diseases, and what are the causes?
Cardiovascular disease is a classification given to a variety of conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels (angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, heart attack, heart rhythm disorders, to name a few). At the heart of CVD is your heart. Responsible for transporting essential elements such as oxygen, hormones, and nutrients, the human body can not function for long if the heart stops.
Imagine restricting the muscles of the heart or those belonging to the vast network of arteries to see how quickly problems could occur. Just imagine what would happen if you tied a knot in the garden hose, the water would continue to flow, a blockage would develop until the knot disappeared, or the tube exploded: the same principle applies to the heart.
Unhealthy lifestyle choices worsen the situation. Whether eating too fat or too sweet, living too sedentarily, suffering from chronic stress, smoking, drinking, the excess of just one of these factors contributes significantly to the onset of CVD.
CBD and cardiovascular disease, a relationship that is developing
As we suggested, the researchers are trying to understand how CBD could affect the cardiovascular system.
CBD and blood pressure
A study published in 2007 by The American Society for Clinical Investigation showed positive results when taking a single dose of CBD to reduce blood pressure.
Nine volunteers (all men) received 600 mg CBD or placebo before taking blood pressure tests. Patients who received CBD not only had reduced blood pressure compared to the placebo group, but the impact was particularly noticeable before and after the stress. The paper concluded that “acute administration of CBD reduces resting blood pressure and increased blood pressure in response to stress in humans.”
Even if they only concern a small sample compared to the millions of people suffering from cardiovascular disease, the results are significant. High or abnormal blood pressure is considered to be one of the leading causes of ischemic heart disease.
CBD and stress
The study above addressed another critical factor in cardiovascular disease: stress. The 2009 Einstein Institute for Heart and Vascular Health reported that psychosocial stressors had been shown to contribute to CVD significantly. The problem is thought to be because stress causes both an increase in blood pressure and the production of adrenaline and cortisol hormones.
Although many studies are still in the animal testing phase, stress reduction is considered an essential attribute of CBD through its facilitation of “signaling via the endocannabinoid.”
CBD and arrhythmia
Arrhythmia is when an individual’s heartbeat is irregular, whether it is going too fast or too slowly. Abnormal heart rhythm changes can cause palpitations, discomfort, and chest pain. In the worst case, the cardiac rhythm disorder can even cause heart attacks or cardiac arrest. This time, it is an in vivo study (within a living organism) that discovered that CBD exerts cardioprotective qualities.
A group of rodents with ischemia-induced arrhythmia received a dose of CBD ten minutes before the artery occlusion and ten minutes before reperfusion. The results showed that “CBD reduced both the total number of ischemia-induced arrhythmias and the size of myocardial infarction when administered before ischemia” and that “the size of the infarct was also reduced when CBD was administered before reperfusion.
Do not worry if it seems difficult to follow. The researchers essentially created an irregular heartbeat by restricting the arteries (ischemia), before lifting the blockage and restoring a natural heart rhythm (reperfusion). It is important to emphasize that the authors of the study are not yet entirely sure of the mechanism of action of the antiarrhythmic effect of CBD.
Prevention remains the best treatment for cardiovascular disease
It is a piece of old-fashioned advice, but in terms of cardiovascular disease, prevention is better than cure. The impact of lifestyle factors, such as diet and sport, should not be underestimated. As a result, small changes in your every day habits can have a hugely beneficial impact.
Cardiovascular disease is a severe condition, and any decision about treatment should be made under the guidance of health professionals. Besides, the body of research on CBD and CVD remains unclear. However, this does not mean that you should not have a conversation with your doctor, armed with the evidence and leads we have listed, about incorporating CBD into your daily routine.
