Research Suggests CBD Supports Heart Health

*This post is not meant to prescribe treatment for any disease or ailment. If you have or suspect any illness, consult a medical professional. 

While the health promoting benefits of CBD continue to gain broad appeal amongst wellness-minded consumers, most people remain unaware of all the ways CBD may support their health. As it turns out, CBD may offer additional health benefits that extend far beyond workout recovery and pain relief.  

Cardiovascular disease is a grouping of diseases related to the heart, including heart disease, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmia, and heart valve problems. These diseases combine to be the leading cause of death in the U.S. each year, with about 647,000 Americans dying from heart disease alone.

Though lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise, and sleep are among the most important factors in reducing risks of cardiovascular diseases, a growing body of research suggests that the anti-inflammatory nature of CBD might positively impact our cardiovascular health as well. 

Inflammation of the heart muscle, or myocarditis, can “affect your heart's electrical system, reducing your heart's ability to pump and causing rapid or abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias).”

Because CBD has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, scientists are exploring whether or not CBD might be an effective treatment for vascular damage caused by inflammation. Research is suggesting that CBD shows some success in reducing the number of cells that are destroyed by inflammation, which could help the heart maintain vascular health and strength.

Another study successfully demonstrated that acute administration of CBD reduces resting Blood Pressure (BP) and the BP caused by stress, associated with increased Heart Rate (HR). This finding suggests that CBD may act as a vasodilator - that is, it widens veins and arteries to increase blood flow. 

While there is much more research to be done on this subject before we can make more definitive claims about this, or can expect a wider embrace in the mainstream, this research indicates that regular CBD consumers may very well be supporting their heart health in the process.