What to Know About CBD for Heart Failure, Cholesterol, and Blood Pressure

By Lindsay Curtis 

 Medically reviewed by Jeffrey S. Lander, MD

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.1

CBD cannot cure heart disease or congestive 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.

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 major cannabinoids contained in cannabis plants are:

• Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): It has psychoactive properties that create a “high” feeling. 

• Cannabidiol (CBD): It has no psychoactive effects but provides several therapeutic benefits.

Both CBD and THC interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the body. The ECS 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 plays a role in the function of the cardiovascular (heart) system.2

A growing body of evidence shows that dysregulated ECS is associated with a number of cardiovascular diseases.3 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.

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 failure is 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).4

Symptoms of heart failure vary, depending on the type and severity of heart failure you have. Common symptoms include:5

• Fatigue 

• Shortness of breath

• Increased heart rate

• Weakness 

• Bluish-colored fingers and/or lips

• Persistent coughing or wheezing

• Buildup of excess fluid in the body tissues (edema)

• Lack of appetite 

• Trouble concentrating 

• Inability to sleep when lying flat

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.6 High blood pressure has been linked to congestive heart failure.7 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 be helpful in lowering 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—particularly low-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.8 In animal studies, CBD has been shown to increase HDL levels—aka “good” cholesterol—and lower LDL levels after four weeks of CBD supplementation.9

Inflammation

CBD is perhaps best known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Research suggests that inflammation may be at the root of many chronic illnesses.10 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 and improving blood flow.11 This suggests that CBD reduces inflammation in arteries and blood vessels, easing the strain on the heart, potentially preventing heart failure.

Weight Management

Obesity is 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.12 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.13 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? 

CBD has few side effects, and the World Health Organization states that it is generally well tolerated and has a good safety profile.14 While relatively safe, there are a few things to consider before you try CBD. 

If you are currently taking any other medications, speak with your doctor before trying CBD. Some research suggests that CBD may interfere with the way the liver processes certain medications.15

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.

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 in developing cardiovascular disease.16

There are a number of CBD types to choose from. Understanding these differences can help you choose which type is best for your needs. These types include:

• Isolate: CBD is the only cannabinoid contained in the product. 

• Full-spectrum: Contains multiple naturally occurring cannabis plant extracts, including terpenes, other cannabinoids, and up to 0.3% THC.

• Broad: Contains CBD and other components/cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, but does not contain any THC. 

The availability of these products varies from state to state, particularly for products that contain THC. 

If you’re just starting off with CBD, try a small dose first. Watch for any side effects. If you wish, you can slowly increase your dosage (no more than 5 to 10 mg increase at a time) until you find the dosage that is right for you.

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: 

• Cannabis source: CBD is derived from cannabis plants, and it’s important the CBD is sourced from a company that takes care in the quality and cultivation of their plants. Look for products that come from organic plants when possible. 

• Certificate of Analysis (CoA): Responsible, reputable manufacturers offer a CoA that clearly states the amounts of cannabinoids in a product. CoAs are conducted by an independent, accredited lab.

• Read the label: Read the full list of ingredients contained in CBD to know what you are consuming. 

• Type of CBD: To get the best results, look for full-spectrum or broad CBD products. These may offer an “entourage effect,” combining the effects of multiple cannabis compounds that work in synergy to offer the most benefits.17

Summary

CBD oil is extracted from the cannabis plant. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties. Researchers are looking into ways it could be beneficial for heart health. While it has few side effects, it may slow liver metabolism and affect other medications you are taking.

Cannabidiol comes in several forms and methods of application. People with heart disease should avoid products that require vaping or smoking.

17 Sources

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

Cunha P, Romão AM, Mascarenhas-Melo F, Teixeira HM, Reis F. Endocannabinoid system in cardiovascular disorders - new pharmacotherapeutic opportunities. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2011;3(3):350-360. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.84435

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.

Baranowska-Kuczko M, Kozłowska H, Kloza M, et al. Vasodilatory effects of cannabidiol in human pulmonary and rat small mesenteric arteries: modification by hypertension and the potential pharmacological opportunities. J Hypertens. 2020;38(5):896-911. doi:10.1097/HJH.0000000000002333

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

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

Stanley CP, Hind WH, O'Sullivan SE. Is the cardiovascular system a therapeutic target for cannabidiol? Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2013;75(2):313-322.

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).

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

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