February is American Heart Month: How Does Substance Use Affect Heart Health?
American Heart Month is February 1–28. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that American Heart Month is a time when all people are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health.1
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States; for those who use drugs or alcohol these dangers are elevated.1,2
In this post, we’ll discuss these dangers, how to keep your heart healthy, and how to get started with an addiction treatment program if you are battling substance use disorder.
What Are the Dangers of Drugs and Alcohol on the Heart?
The effects that drugs and alcohol have on the heart vary based on factors such as the substance(s) being used and how long the drug or alcohol has been used. Alcohol, cocaine, and methamphetamine have a high addiction potential, and can exert harmful effects on the cardiovascular system.3
In terms of alcohol use, long-term consumption of alcohol weakens the heart muscle, negatively impacting the supply of blood and oxygen to the body, also known as cardiomyopathy. Alcohol misuse can also lead to high blood pressure (hypertension).4
The use of illegal drugs, such as cocaine and heroin, poses various side effects and risks for the heart. These include:5
- Arrhythmias.
- Arterial plaque formation.
- Body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure changes.
- Cardiomyopathy.
- High blood pressure.
- Increased blood clotting.
- Increased mortality in those with preexisting cardiovascular disease.
- Ischemia, heart attacks, and other acute coronary events and stroke.
- Peripheral artery disease.
According to a January 2024 study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, substance use and cardiovascular disease–related deaths rose prominently between 1999 and 2019, and individuals who used cannabis and psychostimulants had pronounced increases.2
How Can I Keep My Heart Healthy?
If you are misusing drugs or alcohol, a good first step to a healthy heart is stopping your substance use with the help of an evidence-based addiction treatment program. In addition, the Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention suggests following the ABCS of heart health. These include:6
- A: Take aspirin, if this has been recommended by your primary care doctor. Aspirin helps reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- B: Monitor your blood pressure and control high blood pressure, under the care of your physician.
- C: Be mindful of your cholesterol, as high cholesterol can lead to heart disease.
- S: Avoid smoking. Smoking cigarettes increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke, and also raises blood pressure.
Discover Healing at AdCare Treatment Centers
If you are concerned about what drugs and alcohol may be doing to your heart, or to the cardiovascular health of a loved one, reach out and talk to an admissions navigator today.
At AdCare Treatment Centers, we offer a wide range of addiction treatment programs to accommodate each patient’s unique situation. Begin your recovery at our Rhode Island inpatient rehab facility or our Worcester, MA, addiction treatment facility.
Call and speak with an admissions navigator to learn more about the rehab admissions process or your payment and insurance options.