A top cardiologist has revealed the recreational drugs he would never use because they could damage your heart and kill you.
Dr Siyab Panhwar, a cardiologist at NYU Langone in New York City, says there are three drugs he would avoid at all costs knowing how badly they could wreck the body.
All of the drugs he lists are illegal but are still taken by millions of Americans and because of the effect they have on the body’s blood vessels
The first drug on his banned list is cocaine, which is an illegal substance in the US and a Schedule II drug – the second highest drug classification.
This indicates it has a reduced potential for addiction, but it has a high risk for dependence and misuse.
Dr Panhwar says the drug, which is sold as a white powder and either snorted or smoked, causes coronary vasospasm. This is a condition in which the coronary artery constricts, which reduces blood flow to the heart.
This constriction could ‘potentially cause a heart attack,’ even in otherwise healthy people.
A top cardiologist has revealed which common drugs he would never touch because they could potentially damage your heart and kill you (stock image)
The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) notes: ‘Cocaine has significant and well-recognized toxic effects on the heart and cardiovascular system.
‘Chest pain that feels like a heart attack is common and sends many people who use cocaine to the emergency room.’
NIDA adds that cocaine use is also linked with ‘increased risk of stroke, as well as inflammation of the heart muscle, deterioration of the ability of the heart to contract, and aortic ruptures.’
In light of these side effects, Dr Panhwar says in a TikTok video: ‘Doing cocaine is like playing Russian Roulette with your heart.
‘You might be fine, or you may have a massive heart attack. And, as someone who’s seen plenty of heart attacks from cocaine, you don’t want that.’
In 2022, cocaine was the second most commonly used drug in the US, behind marijuana, with about 42.2million Americans having tried the drug at least once in their life. And 5.2million people reported using it within the previous year.
Additionally, 2.2million people reported regularly using the drug, with 1.5million meeting the criteria for cocaine use disorder (CUD).
The second drug Dr Panhwar talks about is heroin, which is a Schedule I drug in the US, meaning it has a high chance of being abused or causing addiction and has no FDA-approved medical use.
Other examples of Schedule I drugs are LSD and ecstasy.
Although marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug by the federal government, some states have passed laws that allow for medical and recreational use.
When it comes to heroin, Dr Panhwar says it is ‘bad for you in so many other ways’ but he says injecting it adds another risk factor, as you can ‘introduce bacteria into your bloodstream’.
The CDC warns that a deadly consequence of the opioid crisis is increased blood-borne infections, including viral hepatitis, HIV, and bacterial and fungal infections.
Dr Siyab Panhwar is a cardiologist at NYU Langone in New York City
Infections are spread through contaminated injection drug equipment, unsanitary conditions and low vaccination rates among at-risk populations.
Dr Panhwar reveals if bacteria gets to your heart valves, it can cause an often fatal inflammation of the heart valves called endocarditis.
The medic says: ‘I have lost too many young patients to endocarditis from heroin use… you don’t want to do that.’
Lastly, Dr Panhwar says the worst offending drug of all is methamphetamine which like cocaine, is a Schedule II stimulant.
Meth, also known as crank, ice, crystal meth, speed and glass, is ruled a highly addictive substance that can be smoked, snorted, swallowed or injected.
The American Heart Association explains that meth can ’cause blood vessels to constrict and spasm, dangerous spikes in blood pressure, and the rewiring of the heart’s electrical system, among other potentially fatal heart-related problems’.
It adds that research shows cardiovascular disease represents the second-leading cause of death among meth abusers, following accidental overdose.
Dr Panhwar concludes: ‘Meth is a nasty drug guys. It’s the absolute best way to wreck your heart and die a slow death.’
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