any proof?

[chriskett]

Recently a friend went to Dr. for what he thought was a lung infection. Turned out hes lucky to be alive. His heart is a withering bowl of jello. Pumping at

%18 capacity. Heart disease does run in his family. He is adamant about it not being from the meth. Does anyone know of any scientific studies on meth and the heart? I would appriciate any and all replies.

[OneDiaDem]

<DIV>In all forms, the drug stimulates the central nervous system, with effects lasting anywhere from four to 24 hours. Methamphetamine use can not only modify behavior in an acute state, but after taking it for a long time, the drug literally changes the brain in fundamental and long-lasting ways. It kills by causing heart failure (myocardial infarction), brain damage, and stroke and it induces extreme, acute psychiatric and psychological symptoms that may lead to suicide or murder.</DIV>
<DIV>


Use can produce chest pain and hypertension which can result in cardiovascular collapse and death. In addition, methamphetamine causes accelerated heartbeat, elevated blood pressure and can cause irreversible damage to blood vessels in the brain.





Biphasic inotropic effects of methamphetamine and methylphenidate on ferret papillary muscles.

Ishiguro Y, Morgan JP.

Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.

Methamphetamine and methylphenidate are structurally related agents that have direct negative inotropic (NIEs) and indirect positive inotropic effects (PIEs) in cardiac tissues. This study was designed to determine and compare cellular mechanisms of the NIEs of methamphetamine and methylphenidate by using a mammalian animal model. Isometric tension was measured in ferret papillary muscles in physiologic salt solution. A subset of muscles was loaded with the bioluminescent calcium indicator, aequorin. Further, to investigate the NIE of methamphetamine, the dose-response relations to isoproterenol, histamine, and calcium were measured with or without methamphetamine (2 x 10(-4) M), after adrenergic neuronal blockade with reserpine. Both methamphetamine and methylphenidate had direct NIEs at higher doses (&gt;10(-4) M). A shift in the slope of the isoproterenol dose-response curve suggested involvement of the beta-adrenoceptor pathways. The direct NIE of methylphenidate was more prominent. Our results suggest that the negative inotropic effects of methamphetamine and methylphenidate may be important with clinically used and abused concentrations of these drugs and may be difficult to reverse with beta-adrenergic inotropic agents in cases of toxicity.

PMID: 9436813 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
<DIV class=text>
<DIV class=heads>ventricular tachycardia </DIV>
<DIV class=crdts>By Susan Woods, MD
</DIV>
<DIV class=shim10></DIV>
<DIV class=heads>Images (click to view larger image) </DIV>
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<TD vAlign=center align=left>http://IMG alt=Electrocardiogram of ...s/CV-30t.jpg"> http://IMG alt= Electrocardiogram of...s/CV-28t.jpg"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<DIV class=shim10></DIV>

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is an color=#0000ffarrhythmia, or irregular type of heartbeat. It causes a rapid heartbeat, usually 150 to 200 beats per minute.
What is going on in the body?
The heart is divided into two lower chambers and two upper chambers. The lower chambers are called the ventricles. The upper chambers are known as the atria. The ventricles beat in a regular pattern in response to electrical impulses from the atria.
Ventricular tachycardia occurs when the electrical impulse starts in the ventricles instead of the atria. This impulse takes over the heartbeat, causing the heart to beat very rapidly. It also keeps the ventricles from filling with blood. If VT continues, the heart stops pumping, and the color=#0000ffblood pressure drops. Unless the heartbeat returns to normal, the person will die.
What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?
If an episode of ventricular tachycardia is brief, the person may have no symptoms. Other times, the individual may notice palpitations, or an unusual awareness of the heart beating in the chest. He or she may have a brief period of lightheadedness.
If the VT continues, the person may show the following symptoms: ·anxiety or agitation · color=#0000ffchest pain · color=#0000ffexcessive sweating ·lethargy or even color=#0000ffcoma · color=#0000ffpalpitations, or an unusual awareness of the heart beating in the chest · color=#0000ffshortness of breath
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
VT can be caused by certain conditions, including: ·certain medicines that affect the heart, such as digitalis · color=#0000ffcoronary heart disease or other forms of color=#0000ffheart disease ·low levels of potassium, calcium, or magnesium in the blood ·a previous or current color=#0000ffheart attack ·stimulants, such as color=#0000ffcaffeine, color=#0000ffcocaine, or color=#0000ffamphetamines ·problems in the electrical system of the heart
What can be done to prevent the condition?
VT usually comes on suddenly and cannot be prevented. Future episodes of VT may be avoided by treating the underlying disorder. Individuals with a history of VT should limit intake of color=#0000ffcaffeine. color=#0000ffcocaine and color=#0000ffmethamphetamines should be avoided.
How is the condition diagnosed?
Diagnosis of ventricular tachycardia begins with a medical history and physical exam. An color=#0000ffEKG will show a certain abnormal pattern. The healthcare provider may order these additional tests to determine the cause of the VT: ·blood tests · color=#0000ffchest X-ray · color=#0000ffechocardiogram, which uses ultrasound waves to study the heart
What are the long-term effects of the condition?
If VT is untreated, it may cause serious long-term effects: ·cardiac arrest ·coma · color=#0000ffcongestive heart failure, a condition in which the weakened heart is unable to pump enough blood throughout the body ·death ·shock
What are the risks to others?
Ventricular tachycardia is not contagious and poses no risk to others.
What are the treatments for the condition?
Treatment will vary, depending on the underlying disorder that causes the VT. Some options include: ·anti-arrhythmic medicines, such as lidocaine, procainamide, or amiodarone ·cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR · color=#0000ffoxygen ·surgery to implant a device that delivers shocks to the heart when VT occurs ·synchronized cardioversion, a procedure that delivers a shock to the heart in order to produce a more normal rhythm
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Shocks to the heart may cause new color=#0000ffarrhythmias. In some cases, shocks may cause the heart to stop beating entirely. Medicines for VT may cause color=#0000ffallergic reactions, stomach upset, and other color=#0000ffarrhythmias. Surgery may cause bleeding, infection, or color=#0000ffallergic reaction to color=#0000ffanesthesia.
What happens after treatment for the condition?
If ventricular tachycardia is successfully treated, the person may return to normal activities. He or she may be advised to limit the intake of caffeine and other stimulants. Underlying conditions, such as color=#0000ffcoronary heart disease, may require lifestyle changes and further treatment.
How is the condition monitored?
People with VT that causes symptoms need to be followed closely. They will need regular color=#0000ffEKGs, blood tests, and other diagnostic studies. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.
<H3 align=left>What are the medical complications
of methamphetamine abuse?</H3>
<HR align=left width="35%">



Methamphetamine can cause a variety of cardiovascular problems. These include rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and irreversible, stroke-producing damage to small blood vessels in the brain. Hyperthermia (elevated body temperature) and convulsions occur with methamphetamine overdoses, and if not treated immediately, can result in death.


Chronic methamphetamine abuse can result in inflammation of the heart lining, and among users who inject the drug, damaged blood vessels and skin abscesses. Methamphetamine abusers also can have episodes of violent behavior, paranoia, anxiety, confusion, and insomnia. Heavy users also show progressive social and occupational deterioration. Psychotic symptoms can sometimes persist for months or years after use has ceased.


Acute lead poisoning is another potential risk for methamphetamine abusers. A common method of illegal methamphetamine production uses lead acetate as a reagent. Production errors therefore may result in methamphetamine contaminated with lead. There have been documented cases of acute lead poisoning in intravenous methamphetamine abusers.


Fetal exposure to methamphetamine also is a significant problem in the United States. At present, research indicates that methamphetamine abuse during pregnancy may result in prenatal complications, increased rates of premature delivery, and altered neonatal behavioral patterns, such as abnormal reflexes and extreme irritability. Methamphetamine abuse during pregnancy may be linked also to congenital deformities.</DIV></DIV>

[searcher]

I hope your friend is ok. He should do what the doctor tells him to do.

[maxmoe]

Am I the only one disturbed that they are giving meth to ferrets.

[chriskett]

thanks for all of replys. He is out of hospital. On beta blockers. has convinced himself he didnt get sick like this from chiva.

[perpel budz]

Dude I don't have any proof but from my street trials I have come to a few conclusions


1-users of any sort of stimulants seem to have less healthy hearts than non users


2-users of opiates (heroin in particular) have heart health that is outstanding


based on these observations I would say it is not totally proven meth damages the heart, but it can't help. on the other side of that coin using heroin won't necessarily help but I believe it is worth a good try

Reputation Comments on this post:

really bad conclusion to this thread

[caustic]

We need to figure out a way to make a drug that is like meth but not as strong and detrimental but better than being in a normal human mind state. And make it a constant thing.

[bcStoner420]

We have that, it's called amphetamine...Can still be quite bad but nowhere near meth.

[sands of time]

Perpel, are you suggesting that heroin is good for the heart?! Heroin can slow the heart rate, but it's not going to help already present heart problems. Heroin kills by slowing or stopping the heart. This of course is not healthy. Not all opiates behave this way though. Oxycotten can cause an excellerated heart rate and a problematic blood pressure level. Swim has seen people taken away on stretchers because of this. Opiates are dynamic and they don't all behave the same way.

Chriskett, tell you friend to get his head out of his ass. Meth is probably one of the worst recreational drugs for the heart, at least one of the worst of the popular ones. If meth didn't cause heart problems than all amphetamines and cocaine and most other stimulents would be perfectly safe... This is not the case, and meth kills, end of story. If your friend wants to become a statistic, let him believe whatever he wants.

Next thing hes gonna say is that cigarettes don't cause lung cancer.

[raven3davis]

Your friend is definitely in denial. He needs to realized that meth was probably responsible for his heart problems and never sueit again. If he as the thought stuck in his head that meth did not do this, then me may start using it again. BAD IDEA.

[old hippie 56]

The shit killed my father-in-law due to a damaged heart, but he wouldn't quit. Watched a friend have a heart attack after doing a bump, thought the EMS would never get there, least someone was there to clean up and answer questions. He swore off meth, hasn't touch it since.

[pharmapsyche]

Methamphetamine can cause a variety of cardiovascular problems. These include rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and irreversible, stroke-producing damage to small blood vessels in the brain. Hypothermia, which is decreased body temperature and convulsions occur with methamphetamine overdoses, and if not treated immediately, can result in death.
Chronic methamphetamine abuse can result in inflammation of the heart lining, and among users who inject the drug, damaged blood vessels and skin abscesses.

Also, I know you didn't mention that your friend was consuming Alcohol while doing the Methamphetamine, but if you think your friend might have ever combined the two, here is some information on what your friends heart had to go through:
The combination of alcohol and methamphetamine makes the heart work harder and consume more oxygen, which may produce unwanted effects. Alcohol consumption may also suppress the breakdown of amphetamines, causing elevations in blood levels of the drug. Individuals taking meth-amphetamine/amphetamine should avoid alcoholic beverages, especially if they have known heart problems (which your friend is now aware of).