Cocaine Dubbed 'Perfect Heart-Attack Drug' by Researchers
Researchers have warned about cocaine's severe impact on the medical field, dubbing it 'the perfect heart-attack drug'. This alarming phrase was first used in 2012 by Australian scientists at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions, with Dr. Olivia M. Shenouda and her team leading the research.
Cocaine's risks to the heart are immediate and can manifest even with the first dose. It stimulates the central nervous system, increasing blood pressure and heart rate. The drug can cause inflammation in the heart's muscles, leading to hardening and reduced efficiency. Furthermore, it can lead to atherosclerosis, a condition that hardens arteries and capillaries, potentially causing heart disease and other life-threatening issues.
Cocaine's effects on the heart's electrical system are also concerning. It can disrupt signals, increase the risk of heart attacks, and cause arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats. Aortic dissections, sudden tears in the aorta's wall, can also be triggered by cocaine use, requiring immediate medical attention. In 2009, cocaine was the second leading cause of drug abuse-related emergency department visits, with most due to cardiovascular complaints like chest pain and racing heart.
The dangers of cocaine to the heart are clear and immediate. Regular use increases the risk of premature death, although the specific cause of death may not always be disease-related. As researchers have warned, cocaine's impact on the heart is so severe that it has been likened to 'the perfect heart-attack drug'.
