Effect of Cocaine on the Heart

We all know that cocaine is physically and psychologically addictive but very few people know that it can kill you the first time you try it. Cocaine is made from the leaves of cocoa plant and when you use it, cocaine activates the release of chemical known as dopamine and prevents it from get reabsorbed into the body. This causes a state of euphoria, clarity and confidence. However, what people who use cocaine do not know is that you can cause damage to your heart and this damage will be permanent. In addition, cocaine use can cause heart attacks.

Cocaine, no matter how you use it, causes your heart rate to increase or it can cause irregular heart beats while constricting the blood vessels. When you get any one of these conditions, it can lead to serious problems which can even be fatal. Some problems that you can get due to increase heart rate or irregular heart beats are heart attacks, cardiac arrest, sudden death, damage to the heart muscle, inflammation of the heart lining, clots in the coronary arteries, fluids in the lungs or enlarged heart. While most people with heart disease can get these complications if they use cocaine; even those without heart disease are susceptible to them.

Cocaine usually affects the heart within 18 hours of use. However, it is quite possible for your heart to get affected immediately after use or up to four days later. You know that you have heart problems after using cocaine if you experience chest pain, have trouble breathing, feel anxious or dizzy, or experience palpitations or nausea.

If you have used cocaine and developed a heart problem, you should inform your doctor because the course of treatment will change accordingly. Many times patients are given benzodiazepines intravenously to combat the effects of cocaine and reduce the adverse effects on the heart.

Pauline