'Meth' heart failure in socioeconomic groups?

Rates of heart failure associated with the growing illicit use of the stimulant drug methamphetamine, or meth for short, are rising worldwide and now affect a wide range of socio-economic and racial groups, finds a review of the available evidence, published online in the journal Heart.

Meth heart failure is also more severe than that experienced by those who don't use the drug, and warrants increased public awareness and availability of treatment for meth addiction to stem the rising tide of those affected. Previously published research shows that use of the drug, also popularly known as 'crystal meth', 'ice' and 'speed', is associated with serious health problems, including high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and even sudden death.

They reviewed the findings of 21 relevant observational studies carried out in different countries. The studies collectively involved people, ranging from 35 to 60 years. Meth use included inhalation, injection, swallowing, smoking, and snorting, with reported frequency ranging from daily to every other week.

The review shows that the prevalence of meth heart failure is on the rise worldwide, particularly over the past decade, and affects a wide range of racial/ethnic and socioeconomic groups, but more men than women.

The average duration of meth use before a heart failure diagnosis is 5 years, but in almost 1 in 5 (18%) of those who go on to develop heart failure, this happens within 12 months. And in some cases, heart failure was diagnosed after single use. Meth heart failure is also associated with more severe disease than that seen in people who don't use meth, as well as longer inpatient stays and more hospital readmissions.

Researchers concluded that the increasing prevalence of meth heart failure across racial/ethnic and sociodemographic groups in the setting of rising meth use worldwide calls for increased awareness and availability of treatment for methamphetamine addiction.

Reference: Prevalence of 'meth' heart failure now in wide range of socioeconomic and racial groups; BMJ JOURNAL Heart; DOI: 10.1136/heartjnl-2022-321610