Are you feeling any sign of weakness, difficulty breathing, headache, or Symptoms such as vomiting, extreme anxiety, chest pain, coughing, or feeling faint? All these are symptoms of atherosclerosis.
CBD might be an option for atherosclerosis. Let's take a close look at the meaning, its complications, and the possible effect of CBD for Atherosclerosis.
A new study provides insight into how a type of immune cell can destabilize fatty deposits that form in arteries from atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis is a persistent inflammatory disease in which plaques accumulate within the arteries, which forces them to compress and limit blood flow.
When an atherosclerotic plaque breaks, it can cause a heart attack or stroke.
In this article, we will take a look at atherosclerosis as a whole and then determine how effective CBD is at treating it or its symptoms.
A new international study reveals that neutrophils may exacerbate atherosclerosis by activating a previously unknown cell death pattern leading to destabilized arterial plaque buildup.
Neutrophils are a pleasing type of leukocytes (white blood cell) that defends infections by attacking germs. They also serve "many roles in inflammation."
A recent Nature article describes how neutrophils can induce a variety of molecular events that also destroy smooth muscle cells that help maintain plaque in the arterial wall.
"Every inflammatory reaction," says Professor Oliver Söhnlein of the Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention at Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany "causes collateral damage, neutrophils that attack healthy cells."
He and his colleagues also designed and produced a "custom peptide" that could potentially attack and block the cell death process.
Inflammation is a natural and protective response to infection. Its purpose is to remove pathogens or damaged tissue, although the damaged location must be carefully controlled. If the inflammation lasts longer than necessary, it can damage the body.
Atherosclerosis, related to inflammatory disease, also called coronary artery disease (CAD), is a prevalent factor contributing to life-threatening heart disease, including stroke and heart attack.
Scientists have tested cannabis in mice with atherosclerosis, determining that endocannabinoids may mediate pro-atherosclerotic effects by inducing platelet activation.
Atherosclerosis is characterized by hardening and narrowing arteries, which change the blood flow to the heart and brain. This is caused by the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaque in the arteries. The internal layer of arterial cells consists of fat, cholesterol, and other blood substances called the endothelium.
After that, as the stain accumulates, the inflammatory response of the immune system will cause more artery damage. A partial or complete blockage can occur and stop blood flow through the arteries of the brain, pelvis, heart, leg, hand, or kidney, caused by obstructive plaques.
When this happens, the location of plaque determines the type of coronary heart disease. That includes:
- Coronary heart disease
- Angina
- Carotid artery disease
- Peripheral artery disease
- Chronic kidney disease
Let's talk about what atherosclerosis is all about, causes, current treatment, and how CBD may treat atherosclerosis symptoms.
What Is Atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis is a condition characterized by narrowing and curing of the arteries due to plaque formation around the artery wall.
Arteries direct blood from the heart to other areas of the body. They are covered with a thin layer of cells that keeps them flexible, allowing smooth blood circulation. This is called the endothelium.
Atherosclerosis begins when the endothelium is damaged, allowing accumulation of harmful cholesterol within the arterial stem.
The body sends a specific type of white blood cell to eliminate that cholesterol, but sometimes the cells remain blocked in the affected area.
Over time, plaque can accumulate, consisting of cholesterol, macrophage, calcium, and other blood substances.
Sometimes the plaque reaches a specific size and ceases to grow, which is not a problem for an individual. However, sometimes the plaque obstructs the artery, hindering blood flow around the body. This increases the risk of creating blood clots, which can lead to life-threatening conditions.
In some cases, the plague eventually breaks. If this happens, the platelets will accumulate in the affected area and can bind and form the blood clots. This may block the artery, leading to life-threatening complications such as stroke and heart attack.
NOTE: The condition may affect the entire artery, but it mainly affects larger arteries and high blood pressure.
What Causes Atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis is a slowly progressive disease that can begin in childhood. Although the exact cause is unknown, atherosclerosis may start with damage to the internal wall of the artery. Injury can cause:
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol
- High levels of triglycerides, the type of fat (lipids) in your blood
- Smoking and other tobacco sources.
- Insulin resistance, obesity, or diabetes.
- Inflammation due to diseases such as arthritis, lupus, or swelling of an unknown cause.
Once the internal wall of the artery is damaged, blood cells and other substances often accumulate at the injury site and accumulate in the inner wall of the artery.
Over time, fatty deposits (plaque), which consist of cholesterol and other cellular products, accumulate on the injury site and harden, narrowing the arteries. The organs and tissues associated with blocked arteries do not get enough blood to function correctly.
Finally, pieces of fat can get rid of and get into the blood. This can cause a blood clot that can block the blood flow to a specific part of your body, for example, when the flow of blood glued to your heart causes a heart attack.
The blood clot can also be moved to other parts of the body, blocking blood flow to another organ.
Current evidence suggests inflammation plays a part in all phases of the atherosclerotic process.
Treatment Options for Atherosclerosis
Talk to your doctor If you think you have atherosclerosis. Also, be aware of early symptoms of inadequate blood circulation, such as chest pain (angina), stinging pain or discomfort.
Early diagnosis and treatment may stop worsening atherosclerosis and prevent heart attack, stroke, or other emergency cases.
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Medical Treatment
Many drugs may slow down or even reverse the effects of atherosclerosis. Some common medication options include
- Cholesterol medications
- Antiplatelet medications
- Beta-blocker medications
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
- Calcium channel blockers
- Water pills (diuretics)
Alternative Treatment
Lifestyle and home remedies: Lifestyle changes can prevent or slow the progression of atherosclerosis. This can be achieved when you;
- Stop smoking
- Exercise most days of the week
- Eat healthy foods
- Manage stress
- Lose excess weight
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle
If you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, or other chronic illness, work with your physician to control the disease and improve overall health.
CBD Treatment
CBD can be an effective and safe therapeutic aid for atherosclerosis because it reduces myocardial ischemia. Atherosclerosis, or artery hardening, occurs when the vessels become dense and stiff.
Arteries can also be damaged due to metabolic disorders or aging processes.
Substances such as proteins, calcium, and lipids are slowly deposited in the circulation system. Finally, this potentially fatal disorder may occur.
CBD has recently been approved for treating inflammation, pain, and spasticity for those suffering from MS, but it may also have therapeutic benefits for atherosclerosis symptoms.
This serious illness may be prevented and alleviated with the help of CBD.
How CBD Can Treat Atherosclerosis Symptoms
Most atherosclerotic symptoms do not appear until a blockage occurs. Common symptoms include:
- Chest pain
- Angina
- Severe pain in your leg, arm, and other places having a blocked artery
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- A blockage affecting circulation to your brain causes confusion
- Muscle weakness in your legs as a result of lack of circulation
CBD promotes the enlargement and relaxation of blood vessels. It is useful in protecting the integrity of the endothelial cell coronary artery and their general endothelial function.
When given at low doses, cannabinoid therapy reduces atherosclerosis progression in rodents.
CBD may be effective at decreasing cardiac fibrosis, myocardial dysfunction, inflammation, cell death, oxidative-nitric stress, and intermittent signaling pathways.
All these advantages provide therapeutic benefits to people with atherosclerosis.
The use of CBD immediately after a heart attack may be useful in reducing the size of myocardial infarction and inflammation.
What's the CBD Dosage for Atherosclerosis?
Based on widespread anecdotal evidence only, the standard CBD dosage recommendation may depend on your body weight. Start with 1 to 6 mg for every 10 pounds of body weight.
We've built a calculator for you so that you can find the lowest starting dose for your body weight below:
The above dosage recommendation is general and merely a suggestion. Your case may differ in that you may need a lot more, while others may need a lot less. Please consult with your physician before supplementing your treatment with CBD.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Patients with atherosclerosis who want to use CBD as therapeutic help should first consult their physician. A licensed physician should evaluate the patient's card and give a recommendation as to whether the CBD should be used or not.
As we learn more about CBD and its benefits, clarity on its efficacy as a treatment option for heart diseases will emerge.