![]() Low level use of methamphetamine - for example, sporadic, low dosage use - does not appear to be associated with major acute complications, such as myocardial infarction, or chronic cardiovascular disease, in an otherwise healthy user. Of particular concern is the concomitant use of methamphetamine and other psychostimulant drugs, such as cocaine, due to their potential synergistic effect on catecholamine activity. Previous research also suggests that the risk of cardiovascular problems among methamphetamine users is increased when the drug is combined with alcohol, cocaine or opiates. While there is no evidence to suggest that any one route of methamphetamine administration should be more strongly associated with cardiotoxicity than another, the risk of complications may be higher with patterns of use that are associated with frequent use and taking higher doses, such as injecting and smoking crystalline methamphetamine. The literature indicates that cardiovascular complications associated with methamphetamine use can occur with all of the major routes of administration: that is, intranasal, oral, smoking, and injecting. The necessary and sufficient dose to produce serious cardiovascular complications or death - that is, the “toxic” dose - is unclear, as the response to a specific dose varies due to individual differences in responsiveness and variations in degree of tolerance. oral, smoking and intravenous).įactors influencing the cardiovascular effects of methamphetamine As with acute myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy has been associated with various routes of methamphetamine administration (e.g. Clinical and experimental evidence alike suggest that the use of methamphetamine, particularly long-term use, can induce cardiomyopathy. Studies of methamphetamine-related fatalities have suggested that methamphetamine users are at risk of the premature and accelerated development of coronary artery disease. The forms of chronic cardiovascular disease that are most commonly associated with methamphetamine use are coronary artery disease and cardiomyopathy. Acute myocardial infarction often occurred in the absence of identifiable coronary artery disease. The medical literature contained several single case reports and case series reports of acute myocardial infarction. The less frequently observed, but more severe, acute cardiovascular complications of methamphetamine use are acute myocardial infarction, acute aortic dissection, and sudden cardiac death. The most widely reported adverse cardiovascular effects of methamphetamine use are chest pain, tachycardia and other cardiac arrhythmias, shortness of breath and high blood pressure. ![]() Other features of catecholamine toxicity include the formation of fibrous tissue and an increase in the size of heart muscle cells.Įvidence of cardiotoxicity among methamphetamine users High catecholamine levels are known to be cardiotoxic, causing narrowing and spasm of the blood vessels, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), high blood pressure (hypertension), and possible death of the heart muscle. Excessive catecholamine activity is thought to be the primary mechanism underlying the cardiotoxic effects of methamphetamine. Methamphetamine increases catecholamine activity in the branch of the peripheral nervous system responsible for modulating heart rate and blood pressure. Specifically, the aim of this report is to review the evidence for methamphetamine-related cardiovascular pathology and discuss the implications for methamphetamine users. Although methamphetamine has effects on multiple organ systems, this report will focus on the cardiovascular effects of methamphetamine. As such, it is important to identify and understand the adverse health effects associated with methamphetamine use and consider the risk of such consequences for users. ![]() The use of methamphetamine is widespread and, in many countries, is a major drug of abuse.
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