Cocaine is a highly addictive drug. Cocaine is popular because it is a stimulant that allows users to feel energetic. While the high associated with cocaine can make users feel productive, there are many effects related to cocaine use. One of the most notable side effects of cocaine is on the heart–ranging from rapid heart rate to experiencing a heart attack. If you are abusing cocaine, it is time to stop. A cocaine rehab program such as Rise Above Treatment will support you in ending your addiction and restoring your health.
Cocaine and The Heart
One of the greatest side effects of cocaine use is its impact on the heart. Because cocaine is a stimulant, it has a serious effect on the heart. Cocaine’s effects on the heart can cause serious cardiovascular problems. These include:
- Myocardial Infarction, also known as a heart attack, is a common heart-related complication of cocaine abuse. Heart attacks associated with cocaine use typically occur within one hour of ingesting the drug. Young users are common amongst young users and can occur even with first-time users.
- Aortic dissection is a tearing of the aorta wall. This is a painful condition that is life-threatening for users.
- A heart attack causes a coronary artery aneurysm. It is a balloon-like dilation of coronary arteries. An estimated 30 percent of users experience a coronary artery aneurysm.
- Myocarditis is a heart muscle inflammation.
- Cardiomyopathy occurs as a result of myocarditis. Cardiomyopathy is a damaged heart muscle. This can cause heart failure.
- Cardiac arrhythmia is when your heart beats too fast. It can also lead to heart palpitations.
- Strokes are very common amongst cocaine users. As a matter of fact, strokes occur up to seven times more often for cocaine users. This is because blood vessels, blood pressure, and blood clotting are intensified in cocaine use because of its stimulating nature.
What Are The Short-Term Side Effects of Cocaine?
Soon after cocaine enters your body, processes within your body speed up. As a result, your body will react, causing several physical, neurological and behavioral effects. Here are some common short-time effects associated with cocaine use:
- Physical changes include dilated pupils, increased heart rate and blood pressure, rising body temperature, nausea, and stomach cramping. In addition, it is not uncommon to experience vertigo, tremors, and muscle twitches.
- Neurological effects such as strokes, seizures, headaches, and coma.
- Behavioral changes, including erratic actions, will occur when cocaine is used in large doses. In addition, cocaine can make people act in bizarre and violent ways.
What Are The Long-Term Effects of Cocaine?
Cocaine use has many long-term effects that make it harder for users to stop abusing it. The impact of long-term cocaine use includes:
- Increased tolerance levels make it possible for users to ingest large amounts.
- Intense feelings of anxiety and vertigo are common side effects.
- Paranoia, hallucinations, and panic attacks result from cocaine’s ability to impact a user’s psyche.
Get Support for Cocaine Addiction at Rise Above Treatment
Cocaine’s effects on the heart are not to be ignored. With every moment of cocaine use, you are placing yourself in jeopardy of having long-term health complications resulting from a heart attack or a stroke. Even short-term side effects such as increased heart rate or high blood pressure can fill you up with increased anxiety.
The long-term and short-time side effects of cocaine along with addiction are all reasons to stop abusing the drug. At Rise Above Treatment, we provide addiction treatment programs that will support you in ending your drug use. Contact us at (877) 641-0717 to set yourself on the journey to living a healthy, drug-free life.
