{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/hypertension/","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_1934-markdown","title":"Reducing Hypertension With Cannabis","slug":"reducing-hypertension-with-cannabis","content":"Nearly one-third of American adults have high blood pressure, or\r\nhypertension. According to the [Centers for Disease Control and\r\nPrevention,](http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm) about 70% of\r\nthese people take medication to treat their hypertension. Medical\r\nmarijuana may be a new source of medication for people suffering from\r\nHypertension.\r\n\r\nHypertension Facts\r\n------------------\r\n\r\nHypertension means that the pressure exerted by the blood in the\r\narteries, leading away from the heart, is higher than normal. A normal\r\nblood pressure measurement is 120/80 mm Hg or lower. The first number is\r\nthe systolic pressure and refers to the pressure when the heart\r\ncontracts. The second number is the diastolic pressure and is a measure\r\nof the pressure in the arteries when the heart relaxes.\r\n\r\nHigh blood pressure is defined as a systolic pressure that is 140 mm Hg\r\nor higher and diastolic pressure is 90 mm Hg or higher. Blood pressure\r\nthat lies between 120-139 mm Hg systolic and 80-89 mm Hg diastolic is\r\nconsidered prehypertension.\r\n\r\nThe most common type of hypertension is essential hypertension, and it\r\nis found in about [95\r\npercent](http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/101/3/329.long# T1) of all\r\npatients with hypertension. Essential hypertension means there is no\r\nidentifiable physiological cause. Risk factors for essential\r\nhypertension include:\r\n\r\n-   Sedentary lifestyle\r\n-   Smoking\r\n-   Stress\r\n-   Obesity\r\n-   Age 65 and older\r\n-   Prehypertension\r\n\r\nHypertension is often called the [silent\r\nkiller](http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm), as it has no\r\nprominent symptoms, but increases risk of heart disease, stroke and\r\nkidney disease.\r\n\r\nEndocannabinoids and Hypertension\r\n---------------------------------\r\n\r\nThe cannabinoid system plays a role in the cardiovascular system,\r\nincluding [lowering blood\r\npressure](http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/110/14/1996.short). In a\r\n[review article](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2225528/)\r\nof numerous studies on the relationship between the endocannabinoid\r\nsystem and the cardiovascular system, the authors concluded\r\nendocannabinoids help control blood pressure in conditions that cause an\r\nextreme drop in blood pressure, such as internal bleeding, and in cases\r\nof hypertension.\r\n\r\nTreating Hypertension\r\n---------------------\r\n\r\nMany medications are available to treat hypertension. Most are\r\nsuccessful at controlling blood pressure, and all have some side\r\neffects. Medications include:\r\n\r\n-   Diuretics\r\n-   Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors\r\n-   Angiotensin II receptor blockers\r\n-   Beta blockers\r\n-   Calcium channel blockers\r\n-   Renin inhibitors\r\n\r\nAnother option is cannabis, research shows that cannabis use for\r\nhypertension can [slightly decrease blood\r\npressure](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12412837). When standing\r\nfrom a sitting position, a person taking cannabis may experience a drop\r\nin blood pressure that can result in light-headedness. People should be\r\ncareful if combining cannabis with other prescription medications taken\r\nfor hypertension.\r\n\r\nResearch also shows that stopping cannabis abruptly after long use can\r\ncause a [rebound increase in blood\r\npressure](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3045206/). The\r\nresearchers recommend tapering off, rather than suddenly withdrawing,\r\nfrom cannabis to prevent this effect.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/39582141@N06/8445322738)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/26cbb4c4ea5ec8ea91f80a6ee4cd443d/14b42/5d926d7f4c5f84f6e49ead4f3bbe4fbb.jpg","srcSet":"/static/26cbb4c4ea5ec8ea91f80a6ee4cd443d/f836f/5d926d7f4c5f84f6e49ead4f3bbe4fbb.jpg 200w,\n/static/26cbb4c4ea5ec8ea91f80a6ee4cd443d/2244e/5d926d7f4c5f84f6e49ead4f3bbe4fbb.jpg 400w,\n/static/26cbb4c4ea5ec8ea91f80a6ee4cd443d/14b42/5d926d7f4c5f84f6e49ead4f3bbe4fbb.jpg 800w,\n/static/26cbb4c4ea5ec8ea91f80a6ee4cd443d/16310/5d926d7f4c5f84f6e49ead4f3bbe4fbb.jpg 1024w","srcWebp":"/static/26cbb4c4ea5ec8ea91f80a6ee4cd443d/58556/5d926d7f4c5f84f6e49ead4f3bbe4fbb.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/26cbb4c4ea5ec8ea91f80a6ee4cd443d/61e93/5d926d7f4c5f84f6e49ead4f3bbe4fbb.webp 200w,\n/static/26cbb4c4ea5ec8ea91f80a6ee4cd443d/1f5c5/5d926d7f4c5f84f6e49ead4f3bbe4fbb.webp 400w,\n/static/26cbb4c4ea5ec8ea91f80a6ee4cd443d/58556/5d926d7f4c5f84f6e49ead4f3bbe4fbb.webp 800w,\n/static/26cbb4c4ea5ec8ea91f80a6ee4cd443d/cc834/5d926d7f4c5f84f6e49ead4f3bbe4fbb.webp 1024w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1895-markdown","title":"A Former DEA Agent’s Journey: Kicking Hypertension Using Medical Marijuana","slug":"a-former-dea-agents-journey-kicking-hypertension-using-medical-marijuana","content":"Steve Schenck comes from a world where marijuana has always been on his radar. Steve grew up in Berkley during the 60s and 70s, where marijuana was just a part of daily life. His parents smoked when he was growing up and he saw many people around him use marijuana recreationally. Steve was able to get a perspective on how marijuana effected different people from a young age.  His personal experiences with cannabis led to further self education as he entered the Drug Enforcement Administration as an agent.  Steve feels that being a DEA agent gave him even more perspective on marijuana, but he prides himself on never making a marijuana arrest.  He saw that marijuana did not have the same negative effects as hard drugs, like meth or heroin.  \r\n\r\nWhen his doctor began prescribing him a plethora of drugs for his high blood pressure and diabetes without any positive effects, Steve turned towards medical marijuana as an alternative medication. Steve is open with his doctor about his medical marijuana usage, which has allowed him to notice other changes he’s experienced throughout the process. Not only has it improved his symptoms, but he has seen a drop in blood pressure and has had an easier time falling asleep.  He eats part of an edible before bed and he is able to sleep soundly throughout the night, without any negative effects that come from traditional sleep medication.  \r\n\r\nSteve knew he wanted to try to use medical marijuana to help with his high blood pressure and diabetes, but he made sure he was educated before starting the process.  Steve said an important step in his process was finding the right dispensary.  His tips for finding the right place for yourself?\r\n\r\n>“Make sure you find the right people who can offer you a high quality product.  If you ever feel uncomfortable when you walk in to a dispensary, leave. Finding the right people is crucial.”\r\n\r\nAside from a trusted dispensary, Steve recommends people start slow when trying medical marijuana.  There are times when he has taken too much of an edible because it is not always easy to judge how much you are getting in a particular product or how it will effect you.  He advises that starting slow can help decrease the risks of any unintended side effects. \r\n\r\nThough Steve is very open with his friends, family, and medical advisors about his medical marijuana usage, he tends to stick to discreet methods of administration for his medication due to his 3 year old daughter.  Steve prefers smoking, but often uses edibles because they are more subtle than smoking. \r\nSteve wants to see more research from the industry in the future, \r\n\r\n>“Congress has blocked all research and the industry is currently all over the place.  In some states its legal or medically allowed and in some states it is just illegal! The US was responsible for lobbying the UN to make cannabis illegal world-wide.  This is not a US issue, legalization has to become a world-wide goal.” \r\n\r\nSteve thinks research will help discredit the critics of medical marijuana, as well. He thinks people who perpetuate stigmas do not have knowledge of the products and of the industry.  He believes that if people really look at the results of medical marijuana users, they will see the efficacy of it as a medication. \r\n\r\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/dlee13/8592121628/in/photolist-e6fSq5-9y7xju-5WBMTa-FqF9-foQYT8-r39qxA-eG35Rj-6usKaL-9y7xLf-9y7xBY-9RPDxM-9y4zui-e2Bhd6-aTZSPn-egZVP3-9y7xod-c5ahE3-22rMwT-pvxGwd-iH98pX-fANrs-9igHn7-4XJsbd-5tFwKC-9sfB6H-nvWogX-8aSLdN-fJBFfk-9y4zh6-4CffYr-ncrvi5-4FZGHv-46uZse-4GXcBN-5bCBek-4D8JPo-r1m7sH-jvyUsP-2SmfSo-S4FHV-wJqthk-9y7xQ5-dACY6c-4xrNah-9y4zjZ-9y4zwv-c5ahA1-9y7xE7-9nUs9q-nahPmF)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/c8b28bcba5d18aaeee7e1810d1f4e230/14b42/c11806ab38109b6ab93cf3f15b1b42f3.jpg","srcSet":"/static/c8b28bcba5d18aaeee7e1810d1f4e230/f836f/c11806ab38109b6ab93cf3f15b1b42f3.jpg 200w,\n/static/c8b28bcba5d18aaeee7e1810d1f4e230/2244e/c11806ab38109b6ab93cf3f15b1b42f3.jpg 400w,\n/static/c8b28bcba5d18aaeee7e1810d1f4e230/14b42/c11806ab38109b6ab93cf3f15b1b42f3.jpg 800w,\n/static/c8b28bcba5d18aaeee7e1810d1f4e230/47498/c11806ab38109b6ab93cf3f15b1b42f3.jpg 1200w,\n/static/c8b28bcba5d18aaeee7e1810d1f4e230/a6974/c11806ab38109b6ab93cf3f15b1b42f3.jpg 1536w","srcWebp":"/static/c8b28bcba5d18aaeee7e1810d1f4e230/58556/c11806ab38109b6ab93cf3f15b1b42f3.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/c8b28bcba5d18aaeee7e1810d1f4e230/61e93/c11806ab38109b6ab93cf3f15b1b42f3.webp 200w,\n/static/c8b28bcba5d18aaeee7e1810d1f4e230/1f5c5/c11806ab38109b6ab93cf3f15b1b42f3.webp 400w,\n/static/c8b28bcba5d18aaeee7e1810d1f4e230/58556/c11806ab38109b6ab93cf3f15b1b42f3.webp 800w,\n/static/c8b28bcba5d18aaeee7e1810d1f4e230/99238/c11806ab38109b6ab93cf3f15b1b42f3.webp 1200w,\n/static/c8b28bcba5d18aaeee7e1810d1f4e230/d5052/c11806ab38109b6ab93cf3f15b1b42f3.webp 1536w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1866-markdown","title":"Long Awaited Relief for Diabetes Patients","slug":"long-awaited-relief-for-diabetes-patients","content":"Diabetes is one of the biggest health issues we face today. What was\r\nonce an uncommon disease has become a veritable epidemic. One in ten\r\npeople--almost 30 million altogether--are currently diagnosed with\r\ndiabetes. Two out of three people who suffer from diabetes will die,\r\neither from the condition itself or from complications, such as kidney\r\nfailure, associated with it. Diabetes is a condition in which the body\r\ncannot properly regulate the amount of glucose in the blood. There are\r\ntwo types of diabetes: Type 1, commonly called juvenile diabetes; and\r\nType 2, or adult-onset diabetes.\r\n\r\n\r\nType 1 vs. Type 2 Diabetes\r\n---------------------------\r\n\r\nType 1 is a genetic disorder in which the pancreas is unable to produce\r\nenough of the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar. Type 1\r\npatients must have daily insulin injections to supplement what their\r\nbodies make. In Type 2, the body produces enough insulin but is unable\r\nto process it properly. This is the most common form of diabetes, and is\r\na chronic disease requiring ongoing medical care. Diabetes is often\r\ncomplicated by other chronic health conditions such as high blood\r\npressure. There is no cure for either type of diabetes. Type 1 patients\r\nmust take insulin for life, and while lifestyle changes may have some\r\nimpact on Type 2 cases, though most patients remain on medication for\r\nlife as well. \r\n\r\nResearch into Cannabis Use\r\n---------------------------\r\n\r\nAlthough diabetes has been the subject of intense research, progress in\r\ntreatment has been slow. Recent studies, however, show that medical\r\nmarijuana holds promise as a primary treatment or adjunct to treatment\r\nfor both types of diabetes. One study, entitled *The Impact of Marijuana\r\nUse on Glucose, Insulin, and Insulin Resistance among US Adults* and\r\npublished in *The American Journal of Medicine* found that medical\r\ncannabis users had a more productive carbohydrate metabolism than\r\nnon-users; their fasting insulin levels were lower and they exhibited\r\nless insulin-resistance than non-users. In fact, their fasting insulin\r\nlevels were actually 16 percent lower than those who had stopped using\r\nmedical marijuana, or who had never used it at all, and they were more\r\nable to utilize the insulin their bodies produced.\r\n\r\nFor Type 2 patients, medical marijuana may help maintain normal blood\r\nsugar levels and control the advance of the disease. However, there are\r\nalso implications for Type 1 patients, as lower fasting levels may\r\ndecrease the amount and volume of insulin needed. For those whose\r\ndiabetes is complicated by high blood pressure, it may be even more\r\nhelpful. While it initially increases heart rate in new users, after a\r\nsmall adjustment period medical marijuana has been found to result in\r\nlowered blood pressure long-term.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/31169339@N07/3534215167)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/7821208495809d8f1d6ba36b8e805bb6/14b42/178f4b81df9e3c37cf959906ca47805c.jpg","srcSet":"/static/7821208495809d8f1d6ba36b8e805bb6/f836f/178f4b81df9e3c37cf959906ca47805c.jpg 200w,\n/static/7821208495809d8f1d6ba36b8e805bb6/2244e/178f4b81df9e3c37cf959906ca47805c.jpg 400w,\n/static/7821208495809d8f1d6ba36b8e805bb6/14b42/178f4b81df9e3c37cf959906ca47805c.jpg 800w,\n/static/7821208495809d8f1d6ba36b8e805bb6/16310/178f4b81df9e3c37cf959906ca47805c.jpg 1024w","srcWebp":"/static/7821208495809d8f1d6ba36b8e805bb6/58556/178f4b81df9e3c37cf959906ca47805c.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/7821208495809d8f1d6ba36b8e805bb6/61e93/178f4b81df9e3c37cf959906ca47805c.webp 200w,\n/static/7821208495809d8f1d6ba36b8e805bb6/1f5c5/178f4b81df9e3c37cf959906ca47805c.webp 400w,\n/static/7821208495809d8f1d6ba36b8e805bb6/58556/178f4b81df9e3c37cf959906ca47805c.webp 800w,\n/static/7821208495809d8f1d6ba36b8e805bb6/cc834/178f4b81df9e3c37cf959906ca47805c.webp 1024w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":0,"numPages":1,"currentPage":1,"id":5366,"name":"Hypertension","slug":"hypertension","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}