From the Guidelines
There is no strong evidence that nattokinase can reliably protect against cannabis-induced heart attack or stroke, and it is not recommended for this purpose. Nattokinase is an enzyme derived from fermented soybeans that may have some blood-thinning and anti-clotting effects, however, its effects are not well-studied in relation to cannabis use or cardiovascular events 1.
The current guidelines for primary prevention of stroke do not support the use of nattokinase or any other supplements for the prevention of stroke or heart attack in individuals who use cannabis 1. Instead, the guidelines recommend addressing risk at an individual level and implementing population-level approaches to reduce substance misuse, such as policy interventions to reduce excessive alcohol consumption and recreational drug use 1.
The best ways to reduce the risk of cannabis-related cardiovascular issues are:
- Avoid high doses of cannabis, especially if you have heart disease risk factors
- Don't mix cannabis with tobacco or other drugs
- Stay hydrated and avoid overheating when using cannabis
- Be aware of increased heart rate and blood pressure that can occur with cannabis use If concerned about cardiovascular health, consult a doctor about evidence-based preventive measures like managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and other risk factors 1. Relying on supplements like nattokinase is not a substitute for medical care or risk reduction strategies.
From the Research
Nattokinase and Cardiovascular Risk Factors
- Nattokinase has been shown to have potential benefits for cardiovascular health, including reducing blood pressure and improving lipid profiles 2, 3.
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that nattokinase supplementation significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and led to a slight increase in blood glucose 3.
- Another study found that combined nattokinase and red yeast rice supplementation was safe and effective in improving cardiometabolic markers in patients with stable coronary artery disease 2.
Cannabis Use and Cardiovascular Risk
- Cannabis use has been linked to an increased risk of heart failure and cerebrovascular accidents, including stroke 4, 5, 6.
- A narrative review found that the role of cannabis in stroke is controversial, with some studies suggesting a negative impact and others suggesting potential beneficial effects 5.
- A case series study found that cannabinoids use was associated with a temporal relationship to the occurrence of stroke, although the underlying mechanism is not fully understood 6.
Nattokinase and Cannabis-Induced Myocardial Infarction or Stroke
- There is limited direct evidence on the use of nattokinase to protect against cannabis-induced myocardial infarction or stroke.
- However, given nattokinase's potential benefits for cardiovascular health, it may be hypothesized that it could help mitigate some of the cardiovascular risks associated with cannabis use 2, 3.
- Further research is needed to investigate the potential interactions between nattokinase and cannabis use, and to determine whether nattokinase supplementation could be a useful adjunctive therapy for individuals at risk of cannabis-induced cardiovascular events 4, 5, 6.