Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is CBD?Heart FailurePossible BenefitsSide EffectsBest ChoicesTypes of CBD
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is CBD?
Heart Failure
Possible Benefits
Side Effects
Best Choices
Types of CBD
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 orcongestive 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.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
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 majorcannabinoidscontained in cannabis plants include:
Both CBD and THC interact with theendocannabinoidsystem (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.
CBD Oil Vs. Hemp OilCBD oil comes from the flowers and leaves of Cannabis sativa, while hemp oil is extracted from the seeds. Hemp oil does not contain CBD; instead, it is valued for omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, g-linolenic acid, and other antioxidants.
CBD Oil Vs. Hemp Oil
CBD oil comes from the flowers and leaves of Cannabis sativa, while hemp oil is extracted from the seeds. Hemp oil does not contain CBD; instead, it is valued for omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, g-linolenic acid, and other antioxidants.
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 failureis 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:
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 pressurehas 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—particularlylow-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
Obesityis 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:
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:
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:
Products that contain CBD may cause problems when combined with other supplements or when taken at doses that exceed the recommended dose.Always let your healthcare provider know what supplements and medications you are taking before starting anything new. Make sure to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for how much and how often to take CBD oil or any other supplement.
Products that contain CBD may cause problems when combined with other supplements or when taken at doses that exceed the recommended dose.
Always let your healthcare provider know what supplements and medications you are taking before starting anything new. Make sure to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for how much and how often to take CBD oil or any other supplement.
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:
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.
CBD Oil: The Science Behind This Cannabis Plant Extract
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:
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.
23 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heart disease facts.
Fulmer ML, Thewke DP.The endocannabinoid system and heart disease: the role of cannabinoid receptor type 2.Cardiovasc Hematol Disord Drug Targets. 2018;18(1):34-51. doi:10.2174/1871529X18666180206161457
Sierra S, Luquin N, Navarro-Otano J.The endocannabinoid system in cardiovascular function: novel insights and clinical implications.Clin Auton Res. 2018;28(1):35-52. doi:10.1007/s10286-017-0488-5
VanDolah HJ, Bauer BA, Mauck KF.Clinicians' guide to cannabidiol and hemp oils.Mayo Clin Proc. 2019;94(9):1840-1851. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2019.01.003
American Heart Association.Causes of heart failure.
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.Heart failure.
Jadoon KA, Tan GD, O’Sullivan SE.A single dose of cannabidiol reduces blood pressure in healthy volunteers in a randomized crossover study.JCI Insight. 2017;2(12):e93760. doi:10.1172/jci.insight.93760
American Heart Association.How high blood pressure can lead to heart failure.
Jadoon KA, Ratcliffe SH, Barrett DA, et al.Efficacy and safety of cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabivarin on glycemic and lipid parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group pilot study.Diabetes Care. 2016;39(10):1777-1786. doi:10.2337/dc16-0650
Garza-Cervantes JA, Ramos-González M, Lozano O, Jerjes-Sánchez C, García-Rivas G.Therapeutic applications of cannabinoids in cardiomyopathy and heart failure.Oxid Med Cell Longev.2020:4587024. doi:10.1155/2020/4587024
Furman D, Campisi J, Verdin E, et al.Chronic inflammation in the etiology of disease across the life span.Nat Med. 2019;25(12):1822-1832. doi:10.1038/s41591-019-0675-0
Teichmann E, Blessing E, Hinz B.Non-psychoactive phytocannabinoids inhibit inflammation-related changes of human coronary artery smooth muscle and endothelial cells.Cells. 2023;12(19):2389. doi:10.3390/cells12192389
Powell-Wiley TM, Poirier P, Burke LE, et al.Obesity and cardiovascular disease: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association.Circulation. 2021;143(21):e984-e1010. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000973
Parray HA, Yun JW.Cannabidiol promotes browning in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.Mol Cell Biochem. 2016;416(1-2):131-139. doi:10.1007/s11010-016-2702-5
World Health Organization.Cannabidiol (CBD) critical review report.
Harvard Health Publishing.Cannabidiol (CBD): What we know and what we don’t.
Harvard Health Medicine.CBD and other medications: Proceed with caution.
Holt A, Nouhravesh N, Strange JE, et al.Cannabis for chronic pain: cardiovascular safety in a nationwide Danish study.Eur Heart J. 2024:ehad834. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehad834
Ewing LE, Skinner CM, Quick CM, et al.Hepatotoxicity of a cannabidiol-rich cannabis extract in the mouse model.Molecules. 2019;24(9):1694. doi:10.3390/molecules24091694
Déléaval M, Burri H, Bakelants E.Harmless herbs? A case report of acquired long QT syndrome and torsades de pointes in a patient taking herbal supplements.HeartRhythm Case Rep. 2022;8(5):309-312. doi:10.1016/j.hrcr.2022.03.018
Peruzzi M, Biondi-Zoccai G, Carnevale R, Cavarretta E, Frati G, Versaci F.Vaping cardiovascular health risks: an updated umbrella review.Curr Emerg Hosp Med Rep. 2020;8:1-7. doi:10.1007/s40138-020-00219-0
Russo EB.The case for the entourage effect and conventional breeding of clinical cannabis: no “strain,” no gain.Front Plant Sci. 2019;9:1969. doi:10.3389/fpls.2018.01969
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
