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logoForum - Substance Use Disorders And Heart Health
Health | Substance Use Disorders And Heart Health
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* Created by: November 07, 2022 - Monday, 07:13 AM
Name: Substance Use Disorders And Heart Health
When thinking about lifestyles dangerous for heart health, we often consider a wrong diet, lack of exercise, little sleep; rarely substance abuse. The use of drugs or other licit substances such as alcohol, drugs, and nicotine can be even more dangerous for overall cardiovascular health and, in some cases, cause irreversible damage to the heart.

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Heart disease is currently the leading cause of death for both men and women in the world. Cardiovascular diseases are also the leading cause of death in Italy, accounting for 44 percent of all deaths, according to data from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità. In particular, ischemic heart disease is the number one cause of death, accounting for 28% of all deaths, while cerebrovascular accidents are third after tumors with 13%. People who survive a heart attack become chronically ill with a severe negative impact on their quality of life and substantial economic costs to society. In Italy, the number of citizens suffering from a cardiovascular disability is equal to 4.4 per thousand (Istat data).
Not surprisingly, people who use narcotic drugs have a higher risk of coronary heart disease due to repeated and long-term exposure to narcotic drugs. Still, the numbers are just as staggering. Suffice it to say that according to 2018 WHO data, more than 5.5 percent of all deaths are directly attributable to alcohol and illicit drug use, and cardiovascular diseases have a high incidence.

But let's look at how the most common substances affect heart disease risk:

smoking

Cigarette smoking is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular damage. One in five smoking-related deaths is caused by heart disease, and smokers have two to four times more deaths than non-smokers. Smoking also doubles the risk of stroke, especially in women over 35 who take birth control pills.

Smoking causes inflammation and thickening of the blood vessel walls, creating a stenosis that can lead to a number of conditions including atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, or peripheral artery disease. Diseases include.
The good news is that smoking damages the heart and blood vessels quickly, but the damage usually reverses relatively quickly when you stop smoking. For example, within one year of quitting, the risk of heart attack drops dramatically and within five years, the risk of stroke is almost that of a non-smoker.

Wines

There has been a heated debate about whether low to moderate alcohol consumption is not only acceptable but has beneficial effects on heart health. Recently, however, the World Heart Federation (WHF) published a policy brief entitled "Effects of Alcohol Consumption on Heart Health: Myths and Actions," which clarifies that "alcohol has no "Quantity is not good for the heart." In fact, just 5 drinks a week, an amount of alcohol hitherto considered "safe," will have a negative impact on life expectancy.

Alcohol abuse and dependence are responsible for a number of factors that cause heart attacks, including atherosclerosis, blood clots and irregular heart rhythms. An increased risk of atrial fibrillation and heart failure, as well as the development of risk factors for hypertension and cerebral hemorrhage, are all consequences of alcohol dependence.

Binge drinking (ie, excessive or uncontrolled consumption of several alcoholic beverages in a short period of time) can have harmful effects on blood pressure. Although alcohol is a substance with a depressant effect, it temporarily increases blood pressure and heart rate. Both symptoms usually normalize when the effects of alcohol wear off, although heart rate and blood pressure in chronic drinkers remain elevated with a significantly increased risk of heart disease.

Cocaine and stimulants

Stimulants such as cocaine present significant cardiovascular risks and have an almost immediate effect on blood circulation to the heart and brain. Moments after taking it, the heart rate increases, the capillaries and blood vessels begin to constrict, and the heart begins to pump harder. This process can also lead to fatal consequences, as the aorta can burst as a result of increased blood pressure and excessive pressure on the heart. In fact, according to researchers, cocaine is often called the "perfect heart attack drug," and studies show that the effects of stimulants like cocaine persist on the cardiovascular system long after its effects on the brain have worn off. are

Opioids

Opioids are also dangerous to health, although the effects of these substances on the cardiovascular system are quite opposite to those of stimulants.
Opioids stimulate the parasympathetic system, resulting in hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure) and bradycardia (slowed heart rate).
In the long term, opioid abuse can also damage the heart's electrical system, leading to an increased risk of coronary heart disease, and is associated with other potential complications, including hardening of the arteries and heart failure. It is from harmful situations.

Overcoming a state of dependence on one's own is extremely difficult, and awareness of the many serious heart diseases associated with substance use disorders may not be enough to motivate change. However, in general, it's not always easy to take care of your health, even if you don't have an addiction. Fear, distrust, discouragement, anxiety, can lead to not seriously considering lifestyle changes. But it is important to think about it, especially not to fulfill the life cycle that we try to move into the future, but it can be heavy and unhappy for the disabling consequences of serious diseases.

Asking for help and turning to specialized professionals is the greatest gift you can give your heart!
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