CBD and Heart Health (2024)

Heart health is one of the areas being explored to determine the therapeutic health benefits of cannabidiol (CBD). Nearly 655,000 Americans die from heart disease every year, accounting for one in every four deaths.

CBD cannot cure heart disease or congestive heart failure, but it is being studied for ways it may help reduce symptoms or prevent heart disease. However, CBD has not been shown in large studies to prevent diseases that lead to heart failure.

Read on to learn more about CBD’s benefits for the heart, what CBD oil is, side effects, and forms of CBD oil.

What Is CBD Oil?

Cannabidiol oil is extracted from the leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant. CBD is a chemical that’s unique to the cannabis plant. The two major cannabinoids contained in cannabis plants include:

• Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): It has psychoactive properties that create a “high” feeling.
• Cannabidiol (CBD): It has no psychoactive effects but may provide several therapeutic benefits.

Both CBD and THC interact with the endocannabinoid system (eCB) in the body. The eCB is a complex biological system that impacts many of the body’s functions, including appetite, memory, mood, and sleep.Researchers are learning that the endocannabinoid system plays a role in the function of the cardiovascular (heart) system.

A growing body of evidence shows that dysregulated eCB is associated with a number of cardiovascular diseases. Whether you have a heart condition or want to prevent heart disease, CBD may boost your endocannabinoid system to help it regulate the cardiovascular system.

Overview of Heart Failure

Heart disease is an umbrella term that refers to several types of heart conditions. Heart disease may involve the heart valves, arteries, and heart rate, leading to heart failure.

Heart failure is a serious health condition in which the heart isn’t pumping the way it should be. The body depends on the heart’s pumping action to deliver oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to all of its cells.

With heart failure, the heart cannot supply the body’s cells with enough blood, leading to symptoms that can have a tremendous impact on your quality of life.

Heart failure has a number of causes, including genetics, other medical conditions (e.g., anemia, diabetes, sleep apnea), and lifestyle (e.g., smoking, obesity).

Symptoms of heart failure vary, depending on the type and severity of heart failure you have. Common symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Increased heart rate
• Weakness
• Bluish-colored fingers and/or lips
• Persistent coughing or wheezing
• Buildup of excess fluid in the body tissues (edema)
• Lack of appetite
• Trouble concentrating
• Inability to sleep when lying flat

CBD and Heart Health

CBD has anti-inflammatory, antioxidative properties that may help reduce risk factors that can lead to heart disease. It may also be helpful in reducing the risk of related conditions, such as stroke.

Blood Pressure

Research suggests that even a single dose of CBD can lower blood pressure. High blood pressure has been linked to congestive heart failure. This is because high blood pressure makes it more difficult for blood to travel easily throughout the body, causing the heart to work harder.

While more research is needed to be sure, CBD may help lower blood pressure to prevent congestive heart failure.

Cholesterol

CBD oil has anti-inflammatory properties, which may help reduce cholesterol levels to improve heart health. Cholesterol is a type of lipid (fat) found in the blood.

High cholesterol levels—particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL), aka “bad” cholesterol—increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. LDL can build up in the lining of blood vessels, causing a blockage that can lead to heart attack or stroke.

CBD has properties that help relax arterial walls, which research suggests may help reduce blood pressure and excess cholesterol. In animal studies, CBD has been shown to increase HDL levels—aka “good” cholesterol—and lower LDL levels after four weeks of CBD supplementation.

Congestive Heart Failure

CBD is generally considered to be safe for congestive heart failure. Research shows no significant adverse effects of CBD at a wide range of doses (anywhere from 3 to 1,200 milligrams/day).

Inflammation

CBD is perhaps best known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Research suggests that inflammation may be at the root of many chronic illnesses. Heart disease is associated with inflammation. Inflamed blood vessels make it harder for the heart to pump blood throughout the body.

One study found that CBD has a direct effect on the arteries, helping reduce inflammation. This suggests that CBD can ease strain on the heart, potentially preventing heart failure.

Weight Management

Obesity is one of the leading causes of congestive heart failure, which is one reason why it is important to maintain a healthy weight for optimal heart health. There is some evidence to suggest that CBD may help maintain a healthy weight.

One study found that CBD promotes the browning of white fat cells, which aids in converting the fat into burnable calories. This is beneficial because brown fat cells contain more mitochondria than white fat cells, which helps burn calories. White fat cells contain droplets of fat that accumulate around the body and can lead to obesity.

Are There Any Side Effects?

While the World Health Organization states that CBD is generally well tolerated and has a good safety profile, there are a few negative side effects of CBD to consider. These include:

• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Dry mouth
• Diarrhea

Importantly, recent research has also found that CBD oil can cause an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). Out of 1.8 million people taking CBD oil for chronic pain, the researchers found about 5,000 cases of new-onset arrhythmia. Although the risk is still considered low, it is about double for people with chronic pain who are taking CBD oil compared with people with chronic pain who are not taking CBD oil.

What Medications Should Not Be Taken With CBD?

Avoid taking CBD with medications that have similar side effects such as drowsiness and nausea. Some of these medications include:

• Benzodiazepines
• Opioids
• Antipsychotics
• Antidepressants
• Antihistamines
• Heartburn medication

If you are currently taking any other medications, speak with your healthcare provider before trying CBD.Some research suggests that CBD may interfere with the way the liver processes certain medications.

This interference may prevent the liver from metabolizing other medications as it normally would, leading to higher concentrations of the medication in the body and increasing the risk of liver toxicity. Some of the medications that may cause this interaction include:

• Warfarin and other blood thinners
• Amiodarone, a heart medication
• The thyroid drug levothyroxine
• Anti-seizure medications

Best CBD for Heart Health

CBD comes in many different forms, including oils and tinctures, edibles, topicals, and vaporizers. Taking CBD oil sublingually (under the tongue) is an easy way to enjoy the benefits. Using sublingual oils tends to work faster and produce stronger results than other edible products, such as gummies.

Vaping CBD is a fast way of delivering CBD into your system, but it is not recommended for individuals with heart disease. Vaping is associated with lung damage, and research shows it causes an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

There are several CBD types to choose from. Understanding these differences can help you choose which type is best for your needs:

• Isolate: CBD is the only cannabinoid contained in the product.
• Full-spectrum: This is comprised of multiple naturally occurring cannabis plant extracts, including terpenes, other cannabinoids, and up to 0.3% THC.
• Broad: This contains CBD and other components/cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, but does not contain any THC.

The availability of these products varies from state to state, particularly for products that contain THC.

If you’re just starting with CBD, try a small dose first. Watch for any side effects. If you wish, you talk to your healthcare provider about slowly increasing your dosage (no more than 5 to 10 milligrams at a time) until you find the dosage that is right for you.

How to Buy CBD

With so many CBD options available, shopping for the right product can be an overwhelming experience. Some important things to keep in mind when buying CBD include:

• Cannabis source: CBD is derived from cannabis plants, and it’s important that the CBD is sourced from a company that cares about the quality and cultivation of its plants. Look for products that come from organic plants when possible.
• Certificate of Analysis (CoA): Responsible, reputable manufacturers offer a CoA that clearly states the amounts of cannabinoids in a product. CoAs are conducted by an independent, accredited lab.
• Read the label: Read the full list of ingredients contained in CBD to know what you are consuming.
• Type of CBD: To get the best results, look for full-spectrum or broad CBD products. These may offer an “entourage effect,” combining the effects of multiple cannabis compounds that work in synergy to offer the most benefits.

Summary

CBD is not a cure for heart failure, but it does have anti-inflammatory properties and may prevent further damage to your heart. CBD may also help reduce blood pressure, decrease inflammation and cholesterol, and maintain a healthy weight. Improving these factors may reduce the risk of heart failure.

Speak with your healthcare provider before trying CBD, particularly if you are on any other medications or dietary supplements. Your healthcare provider can let you know if it is safe to take and may have product and/or dosage recommendations.