Cardiovascular disease continues to be both a major health concern as well as a major cause of death. The CDC reports that 1 out of every 3 deaths in the United States can be attributed to heart and vascular conditions and that 1 person dies every 34 seconds from such diseases. Recent research has shown that CBD has the ability to bind to 56 cardiovascular-related receptors and “Exerts extensive regulatory effects on the cardiovascular system, making it a potential pharmacological agent for the management of VD1” (vascular disease).
Cardiovascular Disease
Heart and vascular disease fall into the category of cardiovascular disease and is influenced by a number of health and life-style factors including:
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Sedentary lifestyle
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Family history of cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease affects the structure and functioning of the heart and causes a number of diseases such as:
- Heart failure
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart valve disease
- Arrhythmias
- Aneurisms
- Chronic venous insufficiency
While heart disease and vascular disease are distinct conditions, they are very closely associated. The cardiovascular system delivers oxygen-rich blood throughout the system, including the heart. When vascular disease negatively impacts arteries, it can cause heart disease by restricting blood flow. On the other side of the coin, heart disease can lead to vascular problems and lead to irregular heart rhythms and stroke.
Molecular Targets and How CBD Helps with Cardiovascular Disease
The question at hand is this – how does CBD help with both heart and vascular conditions? As noted earlier, CBD binds to a whopping 56 cardiovascular targets and helps to regulate the cardiovascular system. While the list is greater than this, the major targets related to the management of heart and vascular disease include the following:
- CB1
- CB2
- AEA
- 2-AG
- FAAH
- TRPV1
- 5-HT1A
- PPARy
- COX
These are associated with several health benefits for the cardiovascular system, including:
- Protective effects against coronary artery disease
- Regulation of lipid metabolism
- Inhibition of abnormal inflammation
- Reduction in oxidative stress
- Promotion of vasodilation
- Alleviation of vascular damage caused by diabetes
Final Thoughts on CBD and Cardiovascular Health
Although research is in its infancy concerning CBD and health benefits for the cardiovascular system, animal studies have provided a positive glimpse into CBD, its molecular targets and many benefits to heart health. Human studies are needed to validate such findings, but until then, there is hope that CBD will one day become a heart-health supplement or add-on medicine for the heart conditions taking so many lives annually in the United States and around the world.
Reference
- Guo, Yilong, et al. Research Progress in the Management of Vascular Disease with Cannabidiol: A Review. Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery, 2024, 19:6.