Busy market. Clustered vendors in makeshift stalls. Papa Etienne, a respected elder and former teacher, shares stories with grandchildren in one of the market shades. One evening, after a neighbourhood gathering, he felt his chest tighten and his heart race unusually, unaware that hidden drug use among youth nearby mirrored risks that could silently harm even the strongest hearts like his. This article uncovers how illegal drugs threaten cardiovascular health, drawing from trusted medical insights to protect families.
Effects of Illegal Drugs on the Heart
Most illegal substances harm the heart, causing irregular rhythms, high blood pressure, or sudden attacks. According to health experts, injecting illegal drugs also can lead to cardiovascular problems, such as collapsed veins and bacterial infections of the blood vessels and heart valves.
Side effects and risks for your heart associated with the use of these drugs include:
- Changes in body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure
- The possibility of added substances, such as talc, poisons, herbicides or other particles, which may cause a toxic reaction
- High blood pressure, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, peripheral artery disease, increased blood clotting and arterial plaque formation
- Ischemia, heart attacks, other acute coronary events and stroke
- Increased mortality in those with preexisting cardiovascular disease
Drugs Which are Poison to the Heart
Researchers, who called cocaine “the perfect heart attack drug”, showed how users had higher rates of multiple factors associated with higher risks of heart attack and stroke
Opioids are a class of drugs that are often prescribed to people as pain relievers, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine and others. They also include the illegal drug heroin and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.
All forms of opioids are highly addictive. Opioid-use disorder affects more than 2 million people in the United States. More than 80,000 people died due to opioid drug overdoses in the U.S. in 2021.
Read about other additional drugs of concern here.
Next Steps
The Bible equips us to overcome drug addiction and find heart healing. “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Embrace this promise by seeking support groups and prayer for strength against cravings. Take our free heart test today.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is there any drug that can cause a heart attack?
Yes, cocaine is notably linked to heart attacks through reduced blood flow, artery stiffening, and tissue damage.
2. Which drugs can cause heart attacks when used with alcohol?
Cocaine and amphetamines heighten heart attack risks with alcohol by amplifying blood pressure and rhythm issues, though specifics vary by mix.
3. What substance causes death by affecting the heart’s ability?
Opioids like heroin and fentanyl cause cardiac arrest by slowing or stopping heart function, often fatally in overdoses.
4. What are the side effects of drugs on the heart?
Side effects include abnormal rhythms, high pressure, plaque formation, infections, ischemia, failure, and increased clotting or stroke risk.
5. Can illegal drugs cause heart problems?
Yes, drugs like cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, ecstasy, and marijuana cause arrhythmias, infections, attacks, and vascular damage.
