Marijuana (Cannabis) and Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
April 6, 201010 CommentsDisease Treatment
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Many patients often ask me how cannabis will affect their blood pressure. Hypertension is one of the indications to recommend cannabis and I have many patients that use it for that purpose.
Blood pressure is regulated by multiple organs and systems. It is determined by how fast your heart is beating, how hard it is contracting and the resistance in the actual blood vessels themselves (peripheral vascular resistance). In addition the kidneys regulate blood pressure by controlling how much sodium and potassium we filter out or retain in our urine. The pituitary gland secretes ADH (anti diuretic hormone) which affects the circulating blood volume and effects the blood pressure as well. That is a very simplistic explanation of a very complicated and tightly regulated system
Most of us are going to die of cardiovascular disease. It is the number one cause of death in both women and men. I can not stress enough how important it is to maintain a normal blood pressure. The risks you run of walking around with high blood pressure are heart attack, stroke and kidney disease. All three of these are NOT GOOD.
The effects of cannabis on the cardiovascular system are still being studied. Much more research needs to be done. However preliminary studies in animals show that cannabinoids can lower blood pressure by dilating the blood vessels. In humans we know that cannabis can speed up the heart rate initially thus increasing blood pressure. However we also know that it can cause a lowering of the blood pressure when patients move from lying down to standing up (orthostatic hypertension)
One thing we do know is that high blood pressure can be caused by stress, chronic anxiety and poor sleeping habits. Cannabis is very effective at improving sleep and reducing anxiety. Thus in theory it should help lower patients blood pressure.
One of the things that I stress to my patients is that blood pressure is one thing they don’t want to mess with. If left uncontrolled it is destructive to the body. MOST patients will have to remain on their blood pressure medication. However that does not mean that patients can reduce the dose that they are taking. That is certainly possible. I have seen very few if any patients who can completely stop taking their blood pressure medication once they start medicating with cannabis.
If you would like more information about cannabis and hypertension or would like to schedule an appointment to see if you could benefit from the medicinal use of cannabis feel free to give me a call at 877-721-0047. Or simply pre-qualify for free at www.mcsocal.com
Hopefully people realize high blood pressure is a serious threat and start to treat it more efficiently. Thanks for the good read!
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Cannabis has helped my Parkinson’s in the past when I have been in a situation to use Legal Medical Cannabis.What are your observations. Thanks, Rob
After many years of being sleep deprived in a high stress occupation, I have developed hypertension. I am certain that medical marijuana will have a greater impact on improving my health and well being than the current pharmaceuticals that I’m currently taking. It appears that they all have deleterious side effects.
Couple of things you want to do: Eliminate caffeine and salt from your diet. They are public enemy number 1 and 2 when it comes to high blood pressure. Lastly, alcohol is a killer for trying to manage blood pressure. Limit drinking to 1 day per week.
I since lately have found out from my Doctor That I have
Some times it is high and then goes to normal.since the last 6 or 7 months I’ve had a lot of problems,then I was not sleeping good.lots of stress and plenty of Anxiety.Now at this Momment I’m relaxed since a few weeks and my blood pressure is normal,but if some thing pop’s up thats not good, iget all stressed up and again my blood pressure goes up.I have from my Doctor two types of Tablets,(Enalaprilmaleaat) for my bloos pressure and Hydrochloorthiazide For the urin.
Thats why I wanted to know that if Cannabis does help.I have tried it.I thank you. Cyril
I have hypertensiion and upon the use of cannabis my blood pressure took a serious dip to the point where I had to stop taking the medication or it would drop too low. I prefered the cannabis to lisinipril and hydochlorodiazide(sp). But wanting to work I had to start taking the medication again and quit the cannabis. Once I fully retire then cannabis it will be.
The good news is that the lisinopril and hctz are excellent choices of blood pressure medications in general. We need to support legislation that protects those of us in the work force from being discriminated against for using legal medication!
i am a 20 year old college student who has alot of stress from many different things. i have hypertension which almost made me not participate in sports until prescribed medication to lower it. my blood pressure is always on the border or questionable upon physical exams and since i lack insurance i dont take medication anymore.i watch diet n stay active but bp still creeps up on me.woukd medical marijuana be a cheaper more effective solution for me?