Cardiovascular complications of recreational drugs

doi:10.1136/bmj.323.7311.464

BMJ 2001;323:464-466 ( 1 September )

Editorials

Cardiovascular complications of recreational drugs

Are an important cause of morbidity and mortality

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The consumption of recreational drugs has reached epidemic proportions. Forty five million European Union citizens have usedcannabis at some time, with proportionately higher use among youngerpeople.¹ The consumption of harder drugs such as cocaine andheroin is rising, with an estimated 1.5 million problem usersin the European Union. Drug use is commonly associated with complications,including an increased risk of premature death. ¹ ² In particular,recreational drugs have profound effects on cardiovascular function.Some studies suggest that adverse cardiac events are relativelyuncommon, ¹ ^3-5 though recent data from the United States indicatethat one in four myocardial infarcts in people aged 18-45 yearscan be linked to cocaine use, suggesting that variation in definitionsmay contribute to under-reporting. ¹ ⁶

Many physicians will encounter patients with cardiovascular problems related to recreational drug misuse. In addition to theproblems posed by self administration, massive overdoses may occurin individuals who attempt to smuggle illegal . . . [Full text of this article]

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