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History Of Cocaine Addiction. Increased Heartbeat, Seizures, Sweating. Reason?
I am a drug addict who has been in recovery for a year and a half; I used a lot of cocaine on a regular basis for a few years. the other day I felt like my heart was beating out of my chest, I also had 3 seizure/convulsion episodes an hour or so after that. since then (6 days later) I can't even walk up the stairs without feeling like I just ran 10 marathons; I begin sweating and get the feeling of my heart pounding against my chest. i'm waiting to have tests done and i'm seeing a nuerologist which was all ordered today by the cardiologist I saw. my question is; does my past cocaine history have anything to do with whats going on now? the cardiologist said it could be a result of permanent damage of my heart caused by my addiction but I haven't used in well over a year?
Mon, 1 Jul 2013
Hi,
Long term use of cocaine can cause enlargement of left side of the heart, can cause ECG changes, and is associated with coronary atherosclerosis (blockage of heart blood vessels) even in young users who have no other risk that would otherwise lead to this condition.
These changes can be permanent and show up in the forefront only when the stress on the heart increases. Once the damage is done it does not matter whether you use cocaine any longer or not. Using it more will further increase the damage.
Wishing you the best of luck,
Hope this helps,
Dr A Rao
Long term use of cocaine can cause enlargement of left side of the heart, can cause ECG changes, and is associated with coronary atherosclerosis (blockage of heart blood vessels) even in young users who have no other risk that would otherwise lead to this condition.
These changes can be permanent and show up in the forefront only when the stress on the heart increases. Once the damage is done it does not matter whether you use cocaine any longer or not. Using it more will further increase the damage.
Wishing you the best of luck,
Hope this helps,
Dr A Rao
I find this answer helpful
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.
Your cardiologist is right in telling that your problems are from long term cocaine addiction, even if you have stopped it a year and half back.
Some of the potential cardiac effects of cocaine are:
Decreased myocardial contractility,
Decreased coronary caliber and coronary blood flow,
Rhythm (electrical) abnormalities in the heart,
Increase heart rate and blood pressure.
These effects will decrease myocardial oxygen supply and may increase demand (if heart rate and blood pressure rise). Thus, myocardial ischemia and/or infarction.
After long term use, it can also cause disease of the heart muscles known as cardiomyopathy. This is a permanent change and is irreversible,
Hope this helps.
Thanks for writing in.
Your cardiologist is right in telling that your problems are from long term cocaine addiction, even if you have stopped it a year and half back.
Some of the potential cardiac effects of cocaine are:
Decreased myocardial contractility,
Decreased coronary caliber and coronary blood flow,
Rhythm (electrical) abnormalities in the heart,
Increase heart rate and blood pressure.
These effects will decrease myocardial oxygen supply and may increase demand (if heart rate and blood pressure rise). Thus, myocardial ischemia and/or infarction.
After long term use, it can also cause disease of the heart muscles known as cardiomyopathy. This is a permanent change and is irreversible,
Hope this helps.
I find this answer helpful
2 users find this helpful
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