The cardiac complications of recreational drug use.

Abstract

The use of recreational drugs has reached epidemic proportions in many countries and threatens to overwhelm economic, social, and health care systems. It is estimated that almost 1 in 4 people in developed countries have used recreational drugs at some time during their life. It is therefore inevitable that many doctors will have to manage and treat the ill effects associated with the abuse of these drugs. In addition to their effects on the central nervous system, many of these agents induce profound changes in the heart and circulation that are responsible for a significant proportion of drug-related morbidity. This article reviews the cardiovascular complications associated with some of the commonly used recreational drugs. Summary points The abuse of recreational drugs is common and it is inevitable that doctors will have to manage and treat their associated ill effects Recreational drugs are complex and can induce profound changes in cardiovascular function, both acute and chronic Recreational drugs are often taken together, which can result in complex synergistic interactions with potentially detrimental effects A high index of suspicion with early intervention and management is often the key to successful treatment