Drug Use & Heart Disease

Certain kinds of drug use can predispose a person to heart disease. Using illegal drugs or overusing prescribed medications or those that are bought on the street can all lead to heart disease. This could lead to additional health problems, frequent hospitalizations and high medical costs. Both drug use and heart disease cause increased taxes and increases health care costs.

• Heart Disease can be Caused by All Kinds of Drug Abuse

Statistics

• Many major illnesses of Americans can be linked to drug abuse. The National Institute of Drug Abuse reports that research has shown a direct link between heart disease and drugs like cocaine, ecstasy, amphetamines and steroids. Intravenous drug use or abuse of prescription medications may lead to a high risk of strokes and blood clots, which both can lead to future heart disease, according to the American Heart Association

Types

• Snorting cocaine, using intravenous drugs such as heroin, smoking crack cocaine or even taking high levels of prescribed pain medication such as OxyContin or oxycodone can cause stress and strain on the heart and lead to heart attacks, strokes and eventually heart disease.

Time Frame

• The time needed for drugs to damage the heart depends on age, as well as the drug amount, type and intensity. For example, people who use cocaine on their first time can damage their hearts. The American Heart Association reports that infection, inflammation, tachycardia and blood clots are all risks and can cause heart disease after repeated use of recreational drugs such as cocaine and heroin. These same risks are possible with people who use prescribed medication incorrectly or in large amounts. In older people there is an increased risk and less time and usage needed for damage to be done. In addition people who use intravenous drugs are at risk for a heart infection that can lead to heart disease.

Effects

• Drug use and heart disease not only affects the drug abuser. Families and friends are also effected by prolonged illicit drug use. If the drug use leads to heart disease, this may cause the person to seek health care, which costs millions of dollars for taxpayers if the person has no medical insurance. This ultimately places a taxing strain on an already overburdened health care system.

Prevention

• Prevention of any and all drug abuse is important. Talking with your children and other family members and even intervention may be necessary. Educating teens and young adults about the risk of heart disease through drug abuse is important.