Heart Attack

Stroke and Heart Attack Drug Complications

If you're suffering from having a heart attack or stroke and have a drug addiction there are dual diagnosis treatment centers ready to help you NOW. Your addiction is an illness that is slowly destroying your body. You’re sick, and this mental illness is taking over your life, perhaps hurting the people closest to you as well as yourself. You can feel its power over you, and you know it’s time to break this bond, but you don’t know how. Recovery Connection® is here.

What are the Effects of Cocaine, Crack and Stimulants on the Heart?

Heart attack and stroke can be a direct result of cocaine and crack use. Cocaine and crack are short-acting, powerful stimulants that act directly on the heart muscle, brain, blood vessels, and nerve tissue to cause effects that are felt almost immediately. These drugs increase the heart rate and blood pressure, sometimes to dangerous levels, and in some people can cause irregular heart beats that can lead to cardiac arrest, heart attack and stroke. Studies have found that the use of cocaine and amphetamines promote coagulation of blood. This can lead to blood clots in the arteries which in turn can cause heart attacks.

Cardiovascular Symptoms of Cocaine and Stimulant Abuse

Some of the cardiovascular symptoms of cocaine and stimulant abuse that could lead to heart attach or stroke are:

The sensation of rapid or irregular heartbeats (palpitations)
A sudden increase in blood pressure putting a severe strain on the arteries
A rupture that could cause a stroke or death

Heart Spasms and Heart Artery Narrowing

Users of cocaine, crack and crystal meth often complain of chest pain. This could be due to spasm and narrowing of the heart arteries. This reduces the amount of blood that can flow through them, which could result in a heart attack.

One of the other aspects of cocaine, crack, and crystal meth addiction is that many of the individuals abusing these drugs are also smoking cigarettes. It is a well known fact that cigarettes (nicotine addiction) can lead to cardiovascular problems .When you put these two risk factors together, it is easy to see the incredible strain that is placed on the heart, arteries and surrounding organs. This strain can, and in many cases does, lead to heart attack and stroke.

Back to health issues

If you believe you or someone you know needs help with drug or alcohol addiction, or for immediate assistance finding drug and alcohol rehab centers please call Recovery Connection® now at 1-800-99-DETOX. Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Don't wait - GET HELP NOW!