Cardiovascular Manifestations of Substance Abuse: Alcohol, Amphetamines, Heroin, Cannabis, and Caffeine.

I am addicted to, have an obsessive compulsive psychological “need” to abuse, drink far, far too much coffee. I sincerely hope that some of my readers will find this abstract as helpful as I have.

Department of Medicine, The New York Medical College/Westchester Medical Centre, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA.

Heart Disease (Hagerstown, Md.) [2003]

Abstract: “The abuse of alcohol is associated with chronic cardiomyopathy, hypertension, and arrhythmia. Abstinence or using alcohol in moderation can reverse these cardiovascular problems. Alcohol is also distinguished among the substances of abuse by having possible protective effects against coronary artery disease and stroke when used in moderate amounts. Amphetamines (eg, speed, ice, ecstasy) have many of the cardiovascular toxicities seen with cocaine, including acute and chronic cardiovascular diseases. Heroin and other opiates can cause arrhythmias and noncardiac pulmonary edema, and may reduce cardiac output. Cardiovascular problems are less common with cannabis (marijuana) than with opiates, but major cognitive disorders may be seen with its chronic use. It is still controversial whether caffeine can cause hypertension and coronary artery disease, and questions have been raised about its safety in patients with heart failure and arrhythmia.” Read full article, Google publisher’s site.