The heart is one of the most important organs in the body, and that’s why it’s no surprise that many people go to great lengths to protect their heart health. Sometimes, though, people aren’t aware of how their lifestyle choices affect their heart health. One such thing is substance abuse, which has negative effects on the heart.
Substance Abuse Overview
Substance abuse is one of the most common causes of preventable death in the world. Substances are anything that alters your mood or consciousness and can be either illegal drugs or legal substances. Common examples are alcohol, marijuana, heroin, methamphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy, tobacco/nicotine, inhalants (including paint fumes), and prescription drugs that are either misused or used without a prescription.
There is no single cause for substance abuse, but rather…
- Biological causes include genetics, brain chemistry, prenatal exposure to alcohol or drug use, certain personality traits
- Social causes of substance abuse can range from peer pressure to self-medication with drugs or alcohol to relieve stress, anxiety, trauma, grief, etc.
- Environmental causes of substance abuse include access to drugs and alcohol as well as the characteristics of the person’s social group.
Effects of Substance Abuse on the Heart
There are many effects that substance abuse has on the heart. The main types are indirect effects which are caused by taking the drug itself, and direct effects which are caused by the addiction process.
Direct Effects on the Heart
The direct effects of substance abuse on the heart include any damage that is done by using drugs in general. These can be anywhere from extremely serious to benign depending on whether it’s an illegal or legal drug, but generally speaking, they don’t produce any benefits.
Substance Abuse and Cardiovascular Functions
Illegal Drugs
For illegal drugs, the most common cardiovascular effects are caused by stimulants or cocaine in particular. Cocaine, for example, is a powerful central nervous system stimulant that constricts blood vessels which increases blood pressure and heart rate while decreasing coronary blood flow. This can cause a heart attack which is often fatal.
Cocaine also causes the most common indirect cardiovascular effects by increasing the risk of traumatic injuries and causing arrhythmias, both of which can lead to fatalities.
Marijuana
For marijuana, there are fewer known cardiovascular effects compared to cocaine but it still has some negative cardiovascular effects. These include a temporary heart attack as well as an increase in the risk of myocardial infarction due to plaque buildup on arterial walls.
Alcohol
For alcohol, it is associated with hypertension and cardiovascular disease which can lead to fatalities from stroke or cardiac arrest. In women, drinking may even cause spasms of the coronary arteries.
Prescription Drugs
For prescription drugs that are misused or used without a prescription, there’s still a risk of side effects on the heart and cardiovascular system.
Some examples include steroids which can cause hypertension and high cholesterol leading to cardiovascular disease and Cushing syndrome. Cough syrups containing opioids such as codeine and hydrocodone can cause blood pressure to drop, leading to decreased heart rate, which can be life-threatening.
In conclusion, substance abuse can have negative effects on the heart and cardiovascular system. These can range from short-term to long-term depending on the type of drug that was used, its purpose, what quantity was used, and how it is used. It’s important to be aware of this so that you’re able to take care of your health. If you or a loved one is dealing with substance abuse,consider getting help at the Impact Recovery Center.