What Is Methamphetamine ?
Methamphetamine (Meth) is a powerful and highly addictive stimulant. It affects the central nervous system. It was developed from a parent drug, Amphetamine, in the early 20th century to be used as a nasal decongestant and bronchial inhalers. It is a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that can be dissolved in water or alcohol. It can be swallowed, injected, snorted, or smoked. Methamphetamine can cause increased activity, talkativeness, a pleasurable sense of well-being, and decreased appetite.
Methamphetamine has long-lasting and harmful effects on the central nervous system. At comparable doses of Methamphetamine and Amphetamine, greater amounts of Meth get into the brain, making it more potent than Amphetamine. This drug is mainly used for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Due to its appetite-suppressing quality, it is a short-term component of weight-loss treatments. However, this drug is rarely prescribed, and the prescription doses are much less than those typically misused.
How Does Methamphetamine Act on the Heart?
Meth is very addictive and affects the central nervous system. Repeated use of Meth for a long time causes the heart muscle to become thick, rigid, and enlarged, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood. Individuals taking Meth may experience increased heart strain, especially when it pushes their bodies to physical extremes. Heart strain in Meth users results in palpitations causing increased, irregular heart rate. When this continues over time, the heart will weaken, resulting in blood flow loss to the heart and other organs, causing an increased stroke risk. The type of heart failure occurring due to Meth is unique, so the cardiologist will have a hard time. Meth users are often young and have a poor prognosis. Additionally, a recent study showed that people using Meth also have a habit of substance abuse, which causes mood and anxiety disorders, making the treatment even more difficult.
Why Do People Use Methamphetamine?
Despite the negative effects of Meth on the heart and other organs, this drug is abused for the following reasons:
-
Mood Altering - Meth is a highly powerful drug; it can keep people awake for a long time to have a good time. People facing depression can use it in an attempt to feel better.
-
Appetite-Suppressant - Meth has the ability to reduce their appetite, so it is highly used for people who want to become slim.
-
Increased Productivity - This drug has a hyperactivity effect, so it is consumed while performing sports, etc.
What Are the Effects of Methamphetamine on the Heart?
Meth can affect the heart both during use and even after use. So it has short-term and long-term effects on the heart.
Short-Term Effects:
-
Arrhythmia (Irregular Heartbeat) - When the heart beats irregularly, it is called arrhythmia. This is the most common adverse effect of Meth use on the cardiovascular system. When combined with other substance abuse products like cocaine, opiates, and cannabis, it has the same effect on the heart and can cause severe complications like stroke. Shortness of breath and high blood pressure are other problems involved with arrhythmia.
-
Narrowing of the Blood Vessels - Meth can narrow the blood vessels and make them more rigid, especially in the smaller blood vessels found in the central nervous system, heart, and kidneys. The change in the blood vessels can lead to high blood pressure and increased heart attack and stroke risk.
-
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) - Meth can cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure and blood vessel spasms, which can be life-threatening. Another possible side effects of the drug are plaque buildup in the heart's vasculature.
Long-Term Effects - Extended Meth use can lead to fatal cardiovascular problems, including:
-
Cardiotoxicity - Methamphetamine increases peripheral nervous system activity and is responsible for maintaining heart rate and blood pressure. Meth users may experience increased levels of catecholamine (monoamine neurotransmitters such as adrenaline). When there is an increased level of catecholamine production, it causes cardiotoxicity (damage to the heart muscle). Excess catecholamine levels in the body are also linked with hypertension, non-functioning cardiac muscle, tachycardia (increased heart rate), and other heart problems.
-
Cardiomyopathy - Long-term Meth use is associated with cardiomyopathy (heart muscle weakening). Cardiomyopathy makes the heart difficult to pump sufficient blood, which puts Meth users at an increased risk of developing congestive heart failure.
-
Coronary Artery Disease - This form of chronic cardiovascular disease is commonly linked with Meth users. Long-term Meth users are at higher risk for the accelerated and early development of coronary artery disease, as Meth can induce atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque in the arteries, and cardiomyopathy. These conditions can cause sudden cardiac arrest.
What Cardiac Symptoms Do Methamphetamine Users Develop?
The symptoms Meth users develop are similar to heart attacks and other heart problems, which include:
-
Dyspnea (shortness of breath).
-
Palpitation.
-
Chest pain or tightness.
-
Numbness or pain in the limbs.
What Are the Other General Symptoms Methamphetamine Users Develop?
The symptoms produced by Meth are very powerful, including
-
Hyperactivity.
-
Dilated pupils.
-
Loss of appetite.
-
Twitching or tremors.
-
Rapid heartbeats.
-
Rapid breathing.
-
Flushed skin.
-
Excessive sweating
-
Dry mouth.
-
Teeth grinding.
-
Diarrhea or constipation.
-
Insomnia.
-
Long-term effects - Acne, skin sores, formication (bug-crawling sensation on the skin), and Meth mouth causes tooth decay and loss.
What Is the Effect of Methamphetamine on Other Parts of the Body?
Meth can have extreme effects on most organs of the body.
-
Nervous System - Meth can produce euphoric effects (feeling of great happiness or well-being) on the brain. This can cause the nervous system to wane and require more frequent doses to prevent crashing (sudden, adverse change in a patient's health characterized by severe weakness, fatigue, and depression). Also, long-term use of Meth can trigger anxiety, hallucinations, compulsive behaviors, aggression, psychosis, and confusion.
-
Lungs - Meth usage can lead to complications like pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs), pulmonary edema (too much fluid in the lungs), and pulmonary hemorrhage (bleeding in the lungs).
-
Skin - Soreness often occurs from scratching due to formication (bug-crawling sensation) and increased skin dryness. Injecting crystal meth often leads to skin ulcers and severe bacterial infections, causing septicemia (bacteria entering the blood and causing the infection) and sepsis (an immune reaction to the blood infection).
-
Infections - Transmission of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) occurs using injectable Meth.
Conclusion:
Meth is a drug that is highly misused due to its highly addictive stimulant that can cause euphoria and poses a high risk of addiction. Meth is prescribed in low doses to treat hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obesity. However, when taken for long periods and in high doses, it can cause harmful health effects, especially heart-related side effects like cardiomegaly, heart failure, etc.
