The cardiovascular system is comprised of the heart, blood vessels and blood. Its primary function is to deliver oxygen and nutrients to all the cells of the body.

 

The endocannabinoid system interacts with the cardiovascular system, and influences several crucial indicators of cardiovascular health including perfusion, cardiac output, blood pressure and vessel patency.

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Cannabidiol (CBD) has shown early promise in the adjunctive management of several common cardiovascular diseases to reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory response in several animal and clinical studies. As a result, the following list of cardiovascular diseases and conditions are currently being researched by scientists exploring the link between improvements in these conditions after the consumption of Cannabis flower and/or a Cannabis derived product, like a CBD tincture derived from hemp. 

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• Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque builds up in the arteries increasing the risk of hypertension, stroke and heart attack. Recent research suggests Cannabis derived phytocannabinoids, like CBD, may reduce inflammatory responses in atherosclerosis and reduce oxidative stress, which is associated with cell death.

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• Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart in which the heart muscle becomes enlarged, thick or scared. Cardiomyopathy causes the heart to weaken and become less able to pump blood through out the body effectively and can ultimately lead to heart failure. Researchers are currently studying the link between CBD and the improvement of cardiac function in individuals affected by cardiomyopathy. While the exact mechanism of action behind this observed link is still unknown, scientists hypothesize that the improvement of cardiac function in individuals affected by cardiomyopathy is a result of the reduction in oxidative stress and inflammation. 

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• Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is often associated with stroke, dementia, heart attack and peripheral vascular disease. Studies suggest that the administration of CBD increases anandamide, an endogenous cannabinoid (also known as endocannabinoid) correlated with the relaxation of blood vessels and a reduction in blood pressure. 

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