Illicit Methamphetamine and Cocaine Use Linked to Higher Risk of Ventricular Arrhythmia and Death: Study

A new study published in the European Heart Journal showed that individuals who used illegal stimulants, such as cocaine and methamphetamine, were more likely to die and experience ventricular arrhythmia (VA).
Arrhythmias are a major source of morbidity and a prevalent cause of SCD. Implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs), autonomic modulation, antiarrhythmic drugs, surgical and catheter ablation, revascularization treatments for ischemic heart disease, and other successful therapies have been developed for the treatment of VA and prevention of SCD. The usage of illegal drugs is becoming a bigger worldwide health issue.
Approximately 269 million individuals, or 5.3% of the global population aged 15–64, abused pharmaceuticals for non-medical purposes in 2018, and 1 in 6 suspected SCDs are caused by occult overdose. Many sudden cardiac fatalities are caused by ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, although little is known about the typical lifestyle variables that predispose people to these conditions. This study was to evaluate the relationship between ventricular arrhythmias (VA) and mortality with the most often used illegal stimulants, cocaine and methamphetamine.
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