2024-10-16 13:45:00
October 16, 2024
The use of recreational drugs is not without cardiovascular consequences. A French study even reveals that once hospitalized for an acute cardiovascular event, individuals who have previously consumed it have an increased risk of recurrence.
Regular drug users are known to be at greater risk of acute cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction. Cannabis is known to increase the risk of blood clots and the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries, leading to heart problems.
As for cocaine, it causes spasms in the arteries and heart rhythm disturbances. But it seems that regular drug consumption is also a significant risk factor for recurrences once the person is hospitalized for a cardiovascular event, according to a publication from the “Emergency and intensive care of cardiology” group of the French Society of Cardiology.
He carried out a study over a period of two weeks, carrying out systematic urinary measurements of patients admitted to 39 cardiology intensive care units (CICU) in France. This represents 1,900 patients hospitalized for pathologies such as myocardial infarction, acute heart failure, heart rhythm disorders, heart muscle dysfunction (myocarditis), etc. The patients, with the exception of 41, agreed to undergo these urine tests.
Nearly 11% of cardiac intensive care patients positive for drugs
10.7% of patients admitted to cardiological emergencies had consumed toxic substances in the month: 9% cannabis, 2% cocaine, 2% heroin or opioids, 0.7% amphetamines and 0.6 % of MDMA. A third tested positive for multiple drugs.
The age distribution shows that 35% of consumers were under 40 years old, 22% were 40 to 49 years old, and 12% were over 50 years old. All social circles were concerned, and these proportions were found overall in the different hospital centers throughout France.
Initially, they were asked the question “have you taken a recreational drug” before the urine test. Only one in two people admitted to having consumed it.
An increase in cardiovascular events in hospitalized patients
Cardiologists have found that consumption of toxic substances is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events during hospitalization, up to death or cardiogenic shock (the heart is no longer able to pump enough blood to properly supply the body, with a sudden drop in blood pressure and a lack of oxygen in the vital organs).
In addition, patients hospitalized for myocardial infarction presented an increased risk of cardiac ventricular disorders as well as sudden death, linked to their drug consumption. As expected, drug use is thus associated with a less favorable prognosis for health, particularly cardiovascular health.
After leaving the hospital, this excess risk persists, although it is difficult to quantify precisely because of the possible continuation of drug consumption, more or less strict compliance with medications, the type of medical monitoring, etc.
Source : Fauvel C, Dillinger JG, Bochaton T et al; ADDICT-ICCU Investigators. Prevalence and Prognostic Impact of Drug Use in Patients Hospitalized for Acute Heart Failure. JACC Heart Fail.;12(5):967-969.
Written by: Hélène Joubert; Edited by Emmanuel Ducreuzet
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