During a first-of-its-kind study, researchers have found that the combined effects of greater blood clotting, increased heart stress and more blood vessel constriction put users of cocaine at high risk of a spontaneous heart attack.
Australian researchers used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure the effects of cocaine in 20 otherwise healthy adults who chronically used the illegal substance.
Compared with 20 non-users, cocaine users had higher rates of multiple factors associated with higher risks of heart attack and stroke: 30 per cent to 35 per cent increase in aortic stiffening, 8 mm Hg higher systolic blood pressure and 18 per cent greater thickness of the heart's left ventricle wall.
"It's so sad," said Gemma Figtree, associate professor at the University of Sydney in Australia and lead researcher.
"We are repeatedly seeing young, otherwise fit individuals suffering massive heart attacks related to cocaine use. Despite being well-educated professionals, they have no knowledge of the health consequences of regularly using cocaine. It's the perfect heart attack drug," Figtree said.
A surge of cocaine-related infarcts at Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital led the team to study the incidence of cardiovascular abnormalities in apparently healthy, regular cocaine users.
Researchers recruited recreational cocaine users (17 men, 3 women, average age 37) who reported using cocaine at least once a month for the last year. They completed questionnaires about their drug use, cardiovascular risk factors and socio-economic status.
At least 48 hours after their last cocaine use, volunteers had their blood pressure taken and then underwent cardiac MRIs to assess heart mass and levels of heart and aortic function.
Researchers performed direct comparisons with similar aged non-users, taking into account history of diabetes, smoking and other drug use.
Investigators observed higher systolic blood pressure and increased arterial stiffness, in association with heart wall thickening.
The study is the first to document persistent hypertension and vascular stiffness in cocaine users, long after the acute effects have worn off.
