Endocannabinoids are endogenous bioactive lipid mediators present both in the brain and various peripheral tissues, which
exert their biological effects via interaction with specific G-protein-coupled cannabinoid receptors, the CB1 and CB2. Pathological overactivation of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in various forms of shock and heart failure may contribute
to the underlying pathology and cardiodepressive state by the activation of the cardiovascular CB1 receptors. Furthermore, tonic activation of CB1 receptors by endocannabinoids has also been implicated in the development of various cardiovascular risk factors in obesity/metabolic
syndrome and diabetes, such as plasma lipid alterations, abdominal obesity, hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and insulin and
leptin resistance. In contrast, activation of CB2 receptors in immune cells exerts various immunomodulatory effects, and the CB2 receptors in endothelial and inflammatory cells appear to limit the endothelial inflammatory response, chemotaxis, and inflammatory
cell adhesion and activation in atherosclerosis and reperfusion injury. Here, we will overview the cardiovascular actions
of endocannabinoids and the growing body of evidence implicating the dysregulation of the ECS in a variety of cardiovascular
diseases. We will also discuss the therapeutic potential of the modulation of the ECS by selective agonists/antagonists in
various cardiovascular disorders associated with inflammation and tissue injury, ranging from myocardial infarction and heart
failure to atherosclerosis and cardiometabolic disorders.