Drug abuse
- Suzanne Walsh, Stroke Advanced Nurse Practitioner
- 2 minute read
- Last updated: November 2023
Drug abuse can cause strokes in a number of different ways. Some drugs harm the vital organs, such as the liver, heart and kidneys, while others directly damage blood vessels in the brain. Common drugs that have strong stroke risks include cocaine, heroin and amphetamines.
Cocaine
Cocaine can bring on a sudden stroke while the person is taking it or shortly afterwards. Research suggests that it has caused strokes in otherwise perfectly healthy young people. Long-term, heavy use of cocaine also increases a person’s risk of cerebrovascular disease. (Cerebrovascular disease further increases the likelihood of a stroke.)
How does cocaine increase the risk of stroke?
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It causes either a sudden or gradual narrowing of the blood vessels to the brain.
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It suddenly and quickly increases your blood pressure, which results in bleeding in the brain.
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Its injectable form, known as crack cocaine, can produce severe infections in the heart valves. This type of heart infection, known as endocarditis, is one of the many conditions that lead to a stroke.
Amphetamines
Amphetamines, such as methamphetamine, can cause immediate and extremely high blood pressure spikes. High blood pressure is the number one cause of stroke.
As with cocaine, long-term use of amphetamines increases the risk of strokes by damaging the brain’s blood vessels and/or the vital organs. Short-term amphetamine use may also bring on a sudden stroke, as it causes rapid changes to blood pressure and heart function.
Heroin
Heroin has been well documented to significantly increase the risk of endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart's chambers and valves. It is usually caused when bacteria enter the blood and travel to the heart.
Small batches of these bacteria can create infected clots within the heart. They can then detach themselves from the heart’s valves, travel through the blood vessels to the brain and cause a stroke.
Other drugs
A recent large-scale study found that people who use cannabis are at a higher risk of stroke than those who don’t. Other drugs and substances that have been linked to strokes include erectile dysfunction herbs and supplements, phencyclidine (also known as angel dust) and some energy drinks.
