As more and more states legalize the use of medical marijuana, more and more patients are wondering if marijuana can help reduce high blood pressure. While some patients find that the active compounds in marijuana do, indeed, help, not all patients will benefit from every available product. There are several ways to consume marijuana and several delivery methods, each with its own pros and cons.
In this post we’ll take a look at some of the evidence for marijuana’s efficacy in treating high blood pressure and try to address some of the common points of confusion on this topic.
A Bit About High Blood Pressure
The Center for Disease Control claims that heart disease and stroke are the two most prevalent causes of death in the U.S. Both of these conditions are linked to high blood pressure. And, sadly, 50 percent of adults in this country have high blood pressure — also known as hypertension.
There are a few options for lowering blood pressure. ACE-inhibitors and calcium channel blockers are effective at treating hypertension. However, many of these medications can produce unpleasant side-effects, including headaches, swollen ankles, dizziness, constipation, cold and flu-like symptoms, and rashes.
Fortunately for many, studies are showing that cannabinoids — chemically active compounds derived from the cannabis plant — are known to relax arteries and veins and may lower blood pressure in some patients. Read More