Methamphetamine and cardiovascular pathology: a review of the evidence

Abstract

Aims: To examine the literature pertaining to the cardiovascular effects of methamphetamine and discuss the implications for methamphetamine users.

Methods: Relevant literature was identified through comprehensive MEDLINE and EMBASE searches.

Findings and conclusions: There is sufficient clinical and experimental evidence to suggest that methamphetamine can have adverse and potentially fatal effects on the cardiovascular system. The existing literature suggests that: (1) methamphetamine users are at elevated risk of cardiac pathology; (2) risk is not likely to be limited to the duration of their methamphetamine use, because of the chronic pathology associated with methamphetamine use; (3) the risk of cardiac pathology is greatest among chronic methamphetamine users; (4) pre-existing cardiac pathology, due to methamphetamine use or other factors, increases the risk of an acute cardiac event; and (5) methamphetamine use is likely to exacerbate the risk of cardiac pathology from other causes, and may therefore lead to premature mortality.