Heart disease is unfortunately extremely common, especially in the U.S. In fact, it’s the leading cause of death for adults in the nation. Medically, heart disease is often referred to as cardiovascular disease, and it covers a broad range of conditions that affect the heart and circulatory system. Those conditions include:
- Heart valve problems
- Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias)
- Diseases affecting the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy)
- Blood vessel diseases, including coronary artery disease
- Congenital heart defects (heart problems you have from birth)
Heart disease is often associated with old age, but there are multiple risk factors for heart disease, including family history and other medical conditions, like diabetes and obesity. Regardless of their cause, heart conditions are generally considered very serious.
What Causes Heart Disease?
It’s difficult to pin down a single or even set of causes of heart disease. Numerous risk factors are at play, and in many cases, those factors come together to increase the chances that something will go wrong. Most often, the causes of heart disease are related to genetics, lifestyle, medications, or a disease or infection.
The primary risk factors of heart disease include:
- Age - Older individuals are at increased risk.
- Sex - Heart disease affects men and women differently.
- Genetics - A family history of heart disease is a strong risk indicator.
- Race/ethnicity - Some groups have a higher risk than others.
- Lifestyle choices - Food, exercise, drinking alcohol, and other lifestyle choices play a role.
- Other medical conditions - Obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, stress, and other medical conditions that can strain the cardiovascular system all pose an increased risk.
Heart Disease Signs & Symptoms
Heart disease can be difficult to diagnose and identify. The symptoms range fairly widely, and no two people experience them in the same way.
Different types of heart disease will manifest with their own unique sets of symptoms. These symptoms can help medical professionals narrow down and identify the exact condition the individual is suffering from.
Symptoms of Heart Valve Problems
- Chest pain
- Fainting
- Irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Swollen feet or ankles
Symptoms of Irregular Heartbeats (Arrhythmias)
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Fluttering sensation in the chest
- Lightheadedness
- Racing heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Slow heartbeat
Symptoms of Heart Muscle Diseases (Cardiomyopathy)
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Racing heartbeat
- Slow heartbeat
- Fluttering sensation in the chest
- Swollen legs, feet, and ankles
Symptoms of Congenital Heart Defects
- Pale, gray, or blue skin or lips
- Swelling in the legs, belly, or eyes
- Swelling in the hands, ankles, or feet
- Shortness of breath
- Becoming easily tired by exercise
How Cannabis Can Help Alleviate Symptoms of Heart Disease
Cannabis and heart disease research is limited and even contradictory in some places. That said, there are reasons to believe that cannabis may help people suffering from heart disease.
Stress is a major risk factor for heart disease and high blood pressure. Cannabis is well known to alleviate both stress1 and anxiety2 symptoms. Anxiety is one of the most common reasons patients turn to medical cannabis, with a vast majority reporting symptom relief. The reduction in stress and anxiety that cannabis has the potential to bring could prove beneficial to patients suffering from heart disease.
Drinking alcohol is another noted risk factor for heart disease, and patients with heart disease should not consume alcohol. Cannabis is not only used recreationally as a substitute for alcohol, but evidence3 suggests that cannabis use reduces alcohol consumption.
Obesity is another significant risk factor for heart disease. Cannabis use has been linked4 to an overall lower body mass index (BMI) and lower rates of obesity. New research even suggests that cannabinoids can potentially accelerate fat burn and aid in weight loss.5
Cannabis is also well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties.6 Reduced inflammation in the body’s blood vessels can potentially reduce blood pressure, another risk factor for cardiovascular disease. One study even found that cannabis use decreased blood pressure in older adults suffering from high blood pressure.7
Despite these promising signs, some studies have presented conflicting findings. One study found that cannabis consumption temporarily increased heart rate, and in turn, blood pressure.8 Another study analyzed cannabis use and heart disease and proposed possible risks.9
Legality and Doctor’s Recommendation
To determine if your state considers heart disease to be a qualifying condition for medical marijuana, check out our Laws & Regulations section for the medical cannabis rules for your state.
If you find that your state recognizes heart disease or its symptoms as a qualifying medical condition, you can seek a doctor’s recommendation to get your medical cannabis card in your state.
How NuggMD Can Help
NuggMD is the nation's leading medical marijuana technology platform, serving patients in 22 states and growing. We’ve connected over 1,000,000 patients with their new medical marijuana doctors face-to-face via our state-of-the-art telemedicine platform.
We believe that every human being has the right to explore the benefits of medical cannabis and are fully committed to helping each patient explore all of their options in their journey to wellness. For further information on whether you qualify for medical cannabis, select your state.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis & Heart Disease
Which is better for heart disease: sativa or indica?
There isn’t any research into whether indica or sativa strains are better for heart disease, but since stress and high blood pressure are both major risk factors for heart disease, strains known for producing relaxing effects would be a good choice. Many consumers find relaxation with indica strains so this may be a good place to start exploring.
Do edibles help with heart disease?
There isn’t any research specifically on the affect of edibles on heart disease, but many of the concerns about cannabis as a treatment for heart disease arise from the dangers of smoking. Edibles may actually be the better option for patients with heart disease.
Does CBD help with heart disease?
Maybe. CBD has been reported to help mitigate some of THC’s potential effects (as well as the side effects that can occur with too strong a dose). Cannabidiol is also often praised by consumers for its calming, anxiety-reducing, and anti-inflammatory effects. Patients looking for relief from heart disease may want to consider strains high in CBD.
Sources
1. Cuttler, Carrie, et al. “A Naturalistic Examination of the Perceived Effects of Cannabis on Negative Affect.” Journal of Affective Disorders, vol. 235, Aug. 2018, pp. 198–205, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032718303100, 10.1016/j.jad.2018.04.054.
2. Zagzoog, Ayat, et al. “In Vitro and in Vivo Pharmacological Activity of Minor Cannabinoids Isolated from Cannabis Sativa.” Scientific Reports, vol. 10, no. 1, 23 Nov. 2020, p. 20405, www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-77175-y#Sec2, 10.1038/s41598-020-77175-y. Accessed 24 Dec. 2022.
3. Karoly, Hollis C., et al. “Effects of Cannabis Use on Alcohol Consumption in a Sample of Treatment‐Engaged Heavy Drinkers in Colorado.” Addiction, vol. 116, no. 9, 26 Jan. 2021, pp. 2529–2537, 10.1111/add.15407.
4. Hayatbakhsh, Mohammad R., et al. “Cannabis Use and Obesity and Young Adults.” The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, vol. 36, no. 6, 12 Oct. 2010, pp. 350–356, 10.3109/00952990.2010.500438. Accessed 16 Dec. 2021.
5. Rossi, Francesca, et al. “Role of Cannabinoids in Obesity.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 19, no. 9, 2018, p. 2690, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30201891, 10.3390/ijms19092690.
6. Henshaw, Frances R., et al. “The Effects of Cannabinoids on Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines: A Systematic Review of in Vivo Studies.” Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, vol. 6, no. 3, 1 June 2021, pp. 177–195, 10.1089/can.2020.0105.
7. Abuhasira, Ran, et al. “Cannabis Is Associated with Blood Pressure Reduction in Older Adults – a 24-Hours Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Study.” European Journal of Internal Medicine, 20 Jan. 2021, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0953620521000054, 10.1016/j.ejim.2021.01.005.
8. Goyal, Hemant, et al. “Role of Cannabis in Cardiovascular Disorders.” Journal of Thoracic Disease, vol. 9, no. 7, July 2017, pp. 2079–2092, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5542986/, 10.21037/jtd.2017.06.104.
9. DeFilippis, Ersilia M., et al. “Marijuana Use in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease.” Journal of the American College of Cardiology, vol. 75, no. 3, Jan. 2020, pp. 320–332, 10.1016/j.jacc.2019.11.025.
The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.
