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 and/or alcohol these dangers are elevated.1,2
What Are the Dangers of Drugs and Alcohol on the Heart?
The effects that drugs and alcohol have on the heart vary based on the substance(s) being used. Alcohol, cocaine, and methamphetamine have a high addiction potential, and can exert harmful effects on the cardiovascular system.3
Long-term consumption of alcohol weakens the heart muscle, negatively impacting the supply of blood and oxygen to the body (also known as cardiomyopathy).4Alcohol 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.5 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; individuals who used cannabis and psychostimulants had pronounced increases.2
Discover Healing at AdCare Treatment Centers
If you are concerned about what drugs and/or 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 one of our inpatient or outpatient facilities located in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Start online by checking your insurance coverage or calling .