High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a disease that affects 1 in 3 American adults. With this fact in mind, and the number of states who are legalizing recreational and medicinal cannabis, many people are asking what kind of effect cannabis has on blood pressure. Smoking tobacco raises blood pressure, but does cannabis have the same effect? The answer largely depends on who you ask or which study you find to read.
What is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)?
Each time your heart beats, blood is pumped through their circulatory system. Blood pressure is created by the amount of force that this process places on the walls of their arteries and veins. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, occurs when this pressure is higher than it should be. Hypertension is sometimes referred to as the “silent killer” because it often does not have any symptoms. When symptoms do occur, it is generally only when hypertension has increased to life-threatening levels.
Hypertension increases a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, and stroke. Poor diet, physical inactivity, obesity, poor diet, stress, tobacco, and alcohol use all can be factors that can increase the risk of developing hypertension.
Does Marijuana Lower Blood Pressure?
The short-term, acute effects of cannabis on blood pressure are well documented and understood. Immediately following the consumption of marijuana, there has been a noted spike in blood pressure and heart rate. However, the long-term effects of cannabis use on blood pressure are not as well understood. Faulty studies and the fact that lab results tested on animals sometimes do not transfer well to humans are factors in the lack of long-term studies on the long-term effects of cannabis on blood pressure.
Additionally, after that initial increase in blood pressure, there is also a noted a hypotensive effect and relaxed heart rate. Anecdotally, many people report cannabis as a means of maintaining healthy blood pressure, something that is backed by some research studies.
For more information, continue reading How Does Marijuana Affect Blood Pressure
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