Using drugs is not worth it.
A new study has revealed that recreational drug users are significantly more likely to experience repeated heart health emergencies compared to those who do not use drugs. According to Dr. Raphael Mirailles from the Hospital Lariboisiere in Paris, approximately 11% of patients admitted to intensive cardiac care units (ICCUs) were identified as recreational drug users.
The research involved nearly 1,400 patients across 39 hospitals in France, all of whom were screened for drug use via urine tests. The study tracked these patients over a one-year period to monitor for further serious cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, cardiac arrests, or strokes. The findings showed that 13% of drug users suffered another severe heart event within the year, compared to just 6% of non-users.
The study also found that drug users had a higher likelihood of experiencing fatal heart conditions and strokes. Specifically, 5.7% of drug users faced heart-related deaths, compared to 4.5% of non-users, and 5.1% experienced non-fatal heart attacks, versus 1.3% among non-users. Strokes occurred in 1.9% of drug users, compared to 0.6% of non-users.
MDMA was found to be the most strongly associated with heart risks, with users being over four times more likely to have subsequent heart issues. Heroin and other opioids increased the risk by 3.6 times, while cannabis users had a 1.8-fold increased risk. The results suggest a need for routine drug screening in intensive care settings, as current practices do not typically include such screenings. These findings will be discussed at the European Society of Cardiology’s annual meeting in London.
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