What are the cardiovascular effects of methamphetamine use?
Methamphetamine affects the central nervous system by simultaneously stimulating the release and blocking the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine. Like cocaine, methamphetamine exerts multiple effects on the cardiovascular system, all of which may predispose patients to acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The acute effects of methamphetamine are euphoria, tachycardia, hypertension, and arrhythmias. Myocardial infarction (MI) may result from coronary spasm or plaque rupture in the presence of enhanced platelet aggregation. Long-term use of methamphetamine has been associated with myocarditis, necrotizing vasculitis, pulmonary hypertension, and cardiomyopathy.