Our heart works around the clock, delivering an impressive feat. It beats about 100,000 times per day, churning. If it weren’t for all that hard work, well, we wouldn’t be here!
Sometimes, however, our heart is a little too good at pumping blood, and it blasts through our veins at breakneck speed. This condition is called hypertension and it’s one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease. According to the Treatments range from strong medication to relaxation exercises — and CBD oil can affect blood pressure too. If you want to know if and how CBD can really lower high blood pressure, look no further than here.
HYPERTENSION: THE HEART AT TURBO SPEED
Each time our heart contracts, blood is pushed into the vessels, forcing oxygen and nutrients to your lungs and other organs. The heart then reflexes very briefly to get ready for the next pump, though pressure still remains throughout your body’s intricate network of vessels.
120 (systolic) over 80 (diastolic) is considered to be normal blood pressure, and should those numbers rise to 140 over 90 or higher, it’s considered to be high blood pressure or hypertension.
While blood pressure tends to rise somewhat with age, hypertension doesn’t just develop overnight. In most cases, high blood pressure arises (pun unintended) from a combination of hereditary factors, such as gender, age and various dietary and lifestyle habits. An unhealthy diet, high alcohol consumption, stress, obesity and lack of exercise are among the common culprits.
As blood rushes through the vessels at full throttle, it puts stress on the vessel walls, which can lead to inflammation and injury where calcium and fat deposits can build up. As a result, the blood vessels become increasingly narrow and rigid, which means the organs don’t receive their fair share of oxygen and nutrients. And that can lead to arteriosclerosis, stroke or heart attack.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU’VE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?
In the case of extremely high blood pressure, conventional medicine tends to recommend beta-blockers, a type of medication that helps the heart take it down a couple notches as quickly as possible. Holistic measures like weight loss, a healthy diet, lower alcohol consumption, exercise and relaxation are also recommended.
If you’re at risk for high blood pressure, such as that found in CBD oil might also be an option, as CBD can influence the underlying factors that make high blood pressure more likely and can even affect blood pressure itself. If you want to try to treat hypertension, it is always advised that you consult your doctor first.
HOW MIGHT CBD OIL AFFECT BLOOD PRESSURE
In a study on 34 patients, researchers found that CBD ‘ ’ and thus has a widening effect on blood vessels. They cited how, among other things, CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties could play a role here. A larger vessel diameter allows the blood to flow better and (hooray!) reduce blood pressure.
Another study on 9 individuals showed that . That same study also found that blood pressure rose less when those participants were under stress.
CBD AND THE CAUSES OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Not only can CBD lower high blood pressure by widening the blood vessels, but by acting on the body’s endocannabinoid system, it’s believed that CBD plays a role in inhibiting the release of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, and can contribute to reducing notorious triggers like stress and anxiety . Researchers also found that CBD is ‘a potentially promising .
CHECKLIST: CBD FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
- Blood pressure describes the pressure at which the heart pumps blood through the blood vessels throughout the body.
- 120 over 80 is considered to be normal blood pressure; 140 over 90 or higher is considered to be high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.
- High blood pressure can be the result of many factors, such as an unhealthy diet, obesity and stress.
- CBD oil could be helpful at lowering blood pressure thanks to its dialating effect on blood vessels as well as its effects on factors such as anxiety, stress and obesity.
FAQS: CBD TO FIGHT HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?
How do I dose CBD oil so that it can reduce high blood pressure?
There is no single perfect dosage because every person’s body reacts differently to CBD. That's why it is important to determine which dose is ideal for your body. Our can help you.
Are there any side effects to taking CBD for high blood pressure?
The World Health Organization considers CBD to be ‘generally well tolerated with a good safety profile’, yet fatigue, insomnia, loss of appetite, diarrhea and dizziness are side that have been reported with CBD use. If you are already taking anti-hypertensive medication, special caution is advised, and you should definitely discuss the topic with a doctor before taking CBD.
Can I take CBD oil if I have low blood pressure?
Since tend to lower blood pressure, it’s not recommended to take CBD if you have low blood pressure as it could lead to unpleasant and even dangerous.
