Substance abuse refers to compulsive or excessive use of a compound that alters your biochemical or neurological state. The issue is commonly associated with psychological or physiological dependence on the substance in question, which may lead to significant impairments in the ability to work in societal and occupational roles. While substance abuse can potentially deteriorate all existing health complaints, it can often generate new issues for the user, particularly concerning heart health.
This guide outlines potential heart risks from several substances. Risk depends on the substance, amount, route of use, other medicines and the person’s health. Call local emergency services for chest pain or pressure, severe breathlessness, collapse or unresponsiveness; do not drive yourself to hospital. Do not wait for drugs to wear off or for a rehabilitation appointment. Do not abruptly stop prescribed medicines or dependent alcohol/benzodiazepine use without medical advice.
Mentioned below are some of the worst drugs for your heart, along with the possible side effects they may trigger:
Nicotine
Nicotine can increase heart rate and blood pressure and is not free of cardiovascular effects. Avoiding combustion reduces exposure to toxic smoke, but risks differ between products. Medicinal nicotine replacement used to help people stop smoking is substantially safer than continued smoking; this does not make every nicotine product harmless. Smoking combustible tobacco adds major cardiovascular risks from smoke exposure. Smoking can contribute to:
- Thickening and narrowing of the blood vessels
- Increased risk of blood clots
- Decreased levels of good cholesterol
- Increased fat levels in the blood
- Increased plaque buildup
The abovementioned issues make the body a breeding ground for a heart attack.
Alcohol
Though more famous for its harmful effects on the liver, alcohol can also impact the heart and contribute to developing several cardiac issues. Research confirms the association between excessive alcohol use and the following three heart diseases:
- Atrial fibrillation is characterized by a quivering or irregular heartbeat, making an individual vulnerable to heart failure and stroke
- Congestive heart failure is characterized by an inability of the heart to pump blood to other body parts efficiently
- Myocardial infarction or heart attack is characterized by a partial or complete blockage of the blood flow to the heart
Each disease mentioned above poses a severe health risk and must not be taken lightly.
If you or someone you know is a chronic drinker and suspects heart disease, look for the following signs of heart disease from alcohol:
- Shortness of breath
- Excessive fatigue
- Swelling in feet, ankles, and legs
- Weakness
- Reduced appetite
- trouble concentrating
- Excessive dizziness
- A rapid or irregular pulse
Cocaine
Cocaine can trigger serious cardiovascular complications, including heart attack, arrhythmia and damage to heart muscle, even in people without a known heart condition. As the body begins breaking it down, it undergoes an array of effects that may lead to one or more medical emergencies. The more cocaine someone uses, the higher their chance is for these emergencies to occur. The risk becomes exceptionally high if a user is already a heart patient or predisposed to cardiac problems.
Possible cardiovascular effects and complications of cocaine include:
- Elevated heart rate
- High blood pressure
- Decreased diameter of coronary arteries ( arteries supplying blood to the heart)
- Reduced blood flow to the heart
- Arrhythmias or irregular beats
- Changes in electrical conduction and recovery, including a prolonged QT interval on an ECG
- Thrombosis or the formation of excessive blood clots
- A buildup of plaques in arteries, known as Atherosclerosis
- Shrinking of the arteries
These effects and complications vary between people. Seek emergency help for chest pain, severe breathlessness, collapse or unresponsiveness.
Opioids
With the ongoing opioid epidemic in different parts of the world, many people have been exposed to potentially serious heart issues. In overdose, opioids can suppress breathing and reduce oxygen delivery, causing life-threatening complications. Cardiovascular effects vary by opioid, dose, other substances and the person’s health. While prescription opioid pills have been associated with multiple heart issues, their injectable variants are also not too far behind. Injecting drugs, especially with non-sterile equipment, can introduce germs into the bloodstream and cause infections, including endocarditis. These germs circulate into the body, eventually entering the heart and damaging its valves. Without a timely diagnosis, an intravenous opioid user may require a replacement of their heart valves to save their life. Valve surgery can be needed for severe damage from infective endocarditis. A replacement valve still carries infection risks, and continued injection can increase the risk of reinfection; ongoing medical and substance-use care is important.
Stimulants
Stimulants include prescription medicines such as some amphetamine products, as well as drugs used illicitly, including methamphetamine and MDMA (ecstasy). Prescription stimulants used under medical supervision have different benefit-risk considerations from misuse or illicit stimulant use. Assessment and monitoring depend on the medicine and the person’s cardiovascular health. These heart-damaging effects attributed to stimulants occur due to their ability to activate the sympathetic system. This system releases adrenaline and prepares the body for fight or flight in dangerous situations. Even though different stimulants use different mechanisms to activate this system, most of them commonly lead to the following effects:
- High adrenaline levels in the blood
- Irregular heartbeat
- Increased heart rate
- High blood pressure
- Narrowing of blood vessels
Together, these effects significantly raise the risk of myocardial ischemia, a condition where the blood flow to a part of the heart is drastically reduced. If reduced blood flow is severe or prolonged, heart muscle injury and a heart attack can occur. Chest pain or other acute warning signs require urgent assessment rather than waiting for symptoms to pass. Stimulant misuse can cause narrowing or spasm of the coronary arteries. Long-term misuse of some stimulants is associated with cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Medical assessment can identify the cause and severity of heart problems.
Marijuana (Cannabis)
As the most famous street drug in the world, many individuals consider marijuana or weed a safe and harmless substance for everyday use. However, the reality is quite different as the drug can induce many side effects in different body parts, including the heart. The type and severity of marijuana’s effects on the heart depend on its consumed quantities.
- Cannabis can increase heart rate and alter blood pressure; effects vary with the product, amount, route of use and individual health.
- Its effects on the cardiovascular system are not reliably predicted by a simple low-dose or high-dose threshold. A smaller amount does not guarantee safety.
Cannabis use has been associated with acute coronary syndrome, which includes heart attack and unstable angina caused by suddenly reduced blood flow to the heart. Chest pain or severe breathlessness requires urgent medical assessment. Associations between cannabis use and heart attacks have been reported, but observational evidence does not establish the cause of an individual event or a safe time window after use.
Products sometimes marketed as “legal highs,” including synthetic cathinones and synthetic cannabinoids, can pose serious health risks. Their names or marketing do not establish that they are safe. Unregulated products may have unknown ingredients and unpredictable strength, making their effects and cardiovascular risks difficult to anticipate.
Synthetic Marijuana
Synthetic marijuana comes in different forms like K2 and Spice and can exert adverse effects on the heart, similar to those of regular marijuana. These products are different from cannabis and may contain potent, unpredictable compounds. Serious or life-threatening effects have been reported. So far, several issues, like dangerously elevated heart rates and heart attacks, have been reportedly linked to some cases of synthetic marijuana abuse, even in teen users.
Synthetic Cathinones
Synthetic cathinones, sometimes sold as “bath salts,” are stimulants that can cause serious cardiovascular effects. The severity depends on the compound, amount used and individual circumstances. Animal studies cannot establish a universal ranking of their danger to people compared with cocaine. Palpitations and chest pain can occur. Chest pain, severe breathlessness or collapse needs emergency assessment.
While alcohol and drugs can badly affect the working of the heart, these side effects are not the only thing addicts should fear. Addiction affects physical and mental health, careers, relationships, finances, and so much more. A significant proportion of people lose their friends, families, jobs, and overall health to drugs. So if you or someone you love is struggling with this issue, it is better to find help as soon as possible.
Medical and addiction professionals can assess your needs and recommend appropriate treatment, which may include outpatient care or inpatient rehabilitation. These facilities allow individuals to work alongside their team to achieve social, psychological, and physical recovery from alcohol and drugs. Programs vary. Treatment may include medically supervised withdrawal when needed, psychological therapies, medicines where appropriate and ongoing support. To learn more about overcoming an addiction, call a rehab center today.
