Nothing goes better together than February and hearts! While we usually think of hearts in the sense of love and Valentine’s Day, February also marks another important celebration in the U.S. – American Heart Month. When it comes to heart health, it is paramount to consider the ways illegal drugs and alcohol affect your system as they can be associated with dangerous (and sometimes fatal) side effects. Keep reading to learn more about the adverse risks drugs and alcohol place on heart health.

Alcohol and Heart Health

It’s a common belief that a glass of vino a day keeps the doctor away, but the truth is that excessive alcohol consumption is directly linked to a number of poor heart health conditions. “Excessive drinking” is defined as an average of more than one drink per day for women, and more than one or two drinks per day for men. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, excessive alcohol intake can lead to high blood pressure, heart failure, and stroke. Additionally, alcohol can negatively impact the effectiveness of certain blood pressure and heart medications, posing a risk to your heart and other internal organs. While there could be some potential benefits of alcohol in small amounts, the connection between the over-consumption of alcohol and poor heart health is overwhelming. Seeing as though the risks far outweigh the benefits, it is best to drink alcohol in moderation or abstain completely if you are concerned about keeping your heart in tip-top shape.

Drugs and Heart Health

Cardiovascular diseases, including those associated with drugs and substance use disorders, are the leading cause of death in the United States. Illicit drugs such as cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, and other opioids can all pose serious risks to your cardiovascular system. Not only do these drugs promote physical dependence that can turn out to be life-threatening, but there are also a myriad of side effects that can arise. The American Heart Association lists the following as cardiovascular risks associated with drug use:

• Changes in body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure
• The possibility of added substances, such as talc, poisons, herbicides, or other particles, which may cause a toxic reaction
• High blood pressure, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, peripheral artery disease, increased blood clotting and arterial plaque formation
• Ischemia, heart attacks, other acute coronary events and stroke
• Increased mortality in those with preexisting cardiovascular disease

There is no such thing as a safe level of illicit drug intake, regardless of how often one indulges or how safe the source claims to be. Cocaine has long been referred to by researchers as the “perfect heart-attack drug” due to the risk of angina and reduced blood flow to the heart, high blood pressure, increased need for oxygen in the heart muscle, damage to cardiac tissue, and heart infection. Additional drugs of concern include opioids due to the risk of infective endocarditis caused by dirty needles, and amphetamines, ecstasy, and marijuana due to their risk of increased blood pressure and heart rate. Ultimately, living a drug-free lifestyle significantly reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease and poor heart health.

If you want to take the next step on your health journey this American Heart Month, consider the following ways to stay heart-healthy in addition to abstaining from drugs and alcohol:

• Eat Healthy
• Get active
• Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke
• Monitor blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Manage stress
• Manage weight levels and alcohol consumption

If you or a loved one may be at risk of cardiovascular disease due to substance use, please click here to take our online assessment or contact CADS today to learn more about our prevention and treatment services.

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3. The Consequences of Sports Betting on College Campuses