Question Title: amphetamine damage

I have been abusing amphetamines for approximately 15 years. I used
them daily for approx 5 years. I have used them on and off for the
remaining years with the exception of one year while I was pregnant
and breast feeding. I am a college educated woman and have been
employed with the same company for the last ten years. I guess I'm not
your typical drug abuser. I have made many attempts to quit but the drug
is so readily available to me that it is very difficult. Recently, I
have been reading that "meth" speeds up the aging process of the heart.
My question is, how much damage would you suspect has been done to my
heart. I have done very large amounts of meth but never officially
overdosed. I have never even told my doctor the extent of my drug usage
and I have become very good at hiding my problem. Any info would be
greatly appreciated. PS I am 35 yrs old

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Dear M. Marie:

Amphetamines can cause heart attacks, arrhythmias (fast heart rates), dangerous increases in blood pressure, and cardiomyopathy (a weakened heart). Thus it can kill, or over the long haul, lead to serious disability. This does not even factor in the possibility that your supply of drug may be contaminated, or ‘laced,’ with other dangerous substances. It is impossible to know how much lasting damage you have done to your heart (and the rest of your body). An echocardiogram (a cardiac ultrasound) would be able to estimate if your heart has been weakened by your drug usage. Regardless of what any tests may show, you need to stop your amphetamine use before it is too late.

Illicit drug usage occurs in all socioeconomic classes, all ages, all races, both sexes. Instead of hiding your problem, you should try to solve it.

You should notify your doctors about your amphetamine use. They may be able to help you quit. In addition, they need to look for any damage to your body from the years of amphetamine use. Good luck.

If you wish to be evaluated here at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at desk F15. Information provided in the Heart Forum is for general purposes only. Specific diagnoses and therapies can only be provided by your doctor.

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