Cocaine, otherwise known as crack or crack cocaine, is a powerful and highly addictive stimulant drug that was originally used for medicinal purposes and was even one of the ingredients in Coca-Cola products.
Health care providers and researchers eventually realized the effects of cocaine use on the heart and stripped pharmacy shelves and Cola products of this drug. Now there is an immense amount of research that shows how cocaine affects the heart and the various cardiovascular diseases that can result from cocaine abuse. Because this research generally focuses on heart health as a whole, our drug and alcohol treatment center in Pompano dives deeper into the specific connection between cardiomyopathy and cocaine use.
What Is Cardiomyopathy?
Cardiomyopathy is a cardiovascular disease that affects muscles in the heart, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body. Cardiomyopathy is also sometimes referred to as thick heart condition because it causes the heart muscles to stiffen or thicken, causing irregular heartbeats. Because of its direct impact on the muscles of the heart, cardiomyopathy can cause heart failure if left untreated. Although cardiomyopathy can be reversed with the right medications and procedures like heart transplants, it’s still a dangerous condition that can be fatal or affect long-term heart health.
The different types of cardiomyopathy include:
- Dilated: Dilated cardiomyopathy occurs when one of the ventricles in the heart is enlarged or inflamed.
- Arrhythmogenic: This form of cardiomyopathy causes irregular heartbeats and is more common in males.
- Hypertrophic: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a hereditary heart condition that causes the muscles of the heart to thicken or stiffen. If left untreated, this condition can cause sudden heart failure and death.
- Restrictive: This is when the heart muscle stiffens or scars, which can be the result of a variety of other cardiovascular conditions.
Cocaine-Related Cardiomyopathy
Cocaine is a fast-acting and potent drug that immediately targets the central nervous system after it’s been ingested. Because it’s a stimulant, it excites the nervous system, increasing awareness and energy. With increased energy comes increased heart activity. The effects of cocaine abuse on the heart also include elevated heart rate, blood pressure, and hardening of the arteries. It can also stiffen the muscles of the heart, which is a symptom of cardiomyopathy.
Symptoms of cocaine-induced cardiomyopathy include:
- Trouble breathing
- Fatigue
- Swelling in the legs, feet, or veins in the neck
- Fainting when physically active
- Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias)
- Heart murmurs
- Chest pains
- Heart failure
- Increased blood pressure
- Heart damage
Additional cardiovascular problems caused by cocaine abuse include inflammation in the heart muscle and heart attacks. Although cardiomyopathy can be treated with certain medications and procedures, these treatments may not help an individual with a cocaine addiction. A cocaine habit can be difficult to quit without a cocaine addiction treatment. Once this disorder is treated, the person may have a better chance of moving forward in their recovery from cardiomyopathy.
Cardiomyopathy and cocaine share a dangerous relationship. People who engage in cocaine abuse are more prone to life-threatening heart conditions. If you’ve realized that someone has a cocaine problem, then it may be time to get them help. Banyan Pompano is a rehabilitation center that focuses on helping patients recover from substance abuse with effective treatment. Our addiction treatment programs are uniquely designed to address the specific needs of patients with different addictions.
If you or someone you know wants to live an addiction-free life, call Banyan Treatment Centers Pompano today at 888-280-4763 to find out which one of our levels of care is right for you.
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