Drug Abuse and Heart Problems

Amphetamine Use Increases Risk of Heart Failure

According to a new study, young adults who abuse amphetamines may be at a higher risk for an aortic tear. Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center examined medical records from almost 31 million people between 18 and 49 years old hospitalized between 1995 and 2007. They found that amphetamine abuse was associated with a threefold increase in the chances of an aortic dissection.

"Aortic dissection in young people is rare, but it frequently can lead to death," said Dr. Arthur Westover, assistant professor of psychiatry at UT Southwestern and the lead author of the study. "Doctors should screen young addicts with aortic dissection for amphetamine abuse in searching for a potential cause."

Individual case reports have suggested a link between aortic dissection and amphetamine abuse. This study is believed to be the first epidemiological study of a large group of people on the subject.

The aorta stems from the heart and is the largest artery in the body. Dissection happens when a tear develops in the inner layer of the aorta, allowing blood to separate. The blood can eventually cause a rupture in the aortic wall, often resulting in death.

Amphetamines are stimulants that are often used to treat medical conditions like attention-deficit disorder. The drugs are abused as recreational drugs and performance enhancers. The abuse of amphetamines – especially methamphetamine – significantly increased among hospitalized young adults from 1995 to 2007.=

Amphetamines work in the body in similar ways to cocaine. Amphetamines increase blood pressure and high blood pressure, or hypertension, is a contributing factor to aortic dissection.

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