The most important common characteristic of cardiovascular diseases is a slow progression of inflammatory processes. These are favoured by an unhealthy lifestyle in which smoking, high cholesterol, a diet rich in refined sugars, and high blood pressure promote damage to endothelial cells. Endothelial cells line the inner walls of blood vessels. These diseases include coronary artery disease, aortic aneurysms (pathological widening of the main artery), arterial diseases in the legs and other organs, acute strokes, which are based on narrowing the arteries in the brain, venous thromboses and embolisms.
How CBD helps in Prevention Of Heart Failure
CBD has powerful antioxidant effects, meaning it scavenges harmful free radicals and protects cells from a lack of oxygen, an insufficient supply of blood and inflammatory processes. In the cardiovascular system, it can help to modulate the relaxation of the blood vessels and the contraction of the heart muscle cells. According to an overview by Mexican scientists from October 2020, CBD represents a promising treatment option for chronic diseases such as B. cardiac insufficiency (heart failure), with few adverse effects or contraindications (Garza-Cervantes et al. 2020). So far, there are mainly data from basic research with animals that suggest corresponding effects. The first clinical studies have now also begun.
The US National Library of Medicine database lists 278 clinical studies with cannabidiol, 98 of which have been completed (as of December 12, 2020). The others are at the planning stage or in progress. Four of these studies involve measuring cardiovascular effects. An active study of oral supplementation with CBD in healthy young and older people focuses on improving our understanding of how CBD could control and regulate blood vessel health and mental and physical performance and includes blood pressure measurements and heart rate measurements. A study from the USA, completed in 2020, examining the effects of oral CBD (0, 200, 400 or 800 mg/kg) on the subjective, reinforcing, studied the mental and cardiovascular effects of smoked cannabis, assessed the effect of CBD on heart rate when smoking cannabis. The scientists didn’t find any significant effects of CBD on heart rate. Another study aims to assess the possible risks and benefits of CBD therapy on the cardiovascular system in children with severe epilepsy.
With regard to heart failure, experimental and clinical evidence supports the critical role of inflammation as a key mediator in the development and progression of heart failure. The change in certain white blood cells (B lymphocytes), the increased release of inflammatory messenger substances (cytokines), the development of antibodies against heart cells and the activation of the so-called complement system are components of this inflammatory activity. The stronger the inflammation, the worse the further course of the heart failure. Given the connection between inflammation and heart failure, CBD represents a promising, alternative anti-inflammatory therapy approach.
Currently, only one ongoing clinical trial is focused on the effectiveness of CBD in patients with heart failure. It is a study aimed at examining the safety of cannabidiol treatment in patients with heart failure. The sample will include 20 patients with heart failure of various degrees of severity. Patients will receive cannabidiol at a maximum dose of 25 milligrams per kilogram daily with a follow-up period of six months. The results of the study are not yet available.
In the most recent corona pandemic particularly, the most common form of COVID-19 disease is associated with damage to the endothelial cells, a coagulation disorder and other changes in the heart, kidneys, and arteries and veins. In this regard, a clinical study was recently reported examining the effectiveness and safety of CBD in patients with COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease or risk factors. The study, dubbed CRDL-COVID, is looking at the effects of CBD on the recovery of patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Patients will receive cannabidiol at a maximum dose of 25 milligrams per kilogram daily with a follow-up period of six months.
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