Substance Abuse May Increase Premature Heart Disease, a Study Warns

(Newswire.net — December 22, 2021) Winnetka, IL — Health authorities have long been stressing that unhealthy lifestyle habits could take a toll on health. It is worth noting that they are particularly found detrimental to the heart.

A study was carried out and published in the journal called Heart. 

In this research, it has been found that smoking, drinking alcohol, and drug use are associated with premature heart disease in younger individuals, particularly younger females. 

The investigators have particularly found that those who use 4 or more substances regularly are 9 times as likely to suffer from these conditions. 

Over the years, it has been found that the numbers of new cases of heart disease like atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease have been increasing in young adults. However, it is worth noting that how recreational substance influences this isn’t entirely clear. 

This is why the researchers of this study tried to test whether the recreational use of cannabis, tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs may be associated prematurely or extremely prematurely furred up arteries. 

It is worth noting that illicit drugs actually include amphetamine and cocaine. 

The investigators obtained information supplied to the 2014-2015 nationwide Veterans Affairs Healthcare database and the Veterans with premaTure AtheroscLerosis (VITAL) registry. 

Overall in this research, there were 135,703 individuals with premature heart disease and 7716 with extremely premature heart disease. 

Experts defined extremely premature heart disease as an ‘event’, such as a heart attack, angina, or stroke that happens before the age of 40. Premature heart disease, on the other hand, was defined as an event happening before the age of 55 in men and before the age of 65 in women. 

It is important to stress that there was an independent association between recreational use of any substance and the increased odds of premature and extremely premature heart disease. 

Studies investigating the ways to care for the heart continue to grow. It is worth noting that there are many heart health techniques backed by science. These include making dietary and lifestyle improvements. 

It is similarly important to note that some plant-based remedies like the use of ashwagandha may be helpful. This remedy has long been a popular subject of research due to its strong medicinal benefits.

Research has shown it has adaptogenic, antidepressant, anxiolytic, antimicrobial, hypocholesterolemic, cardioprotective, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-angiogenic agents. 

Studies have shown it has heart health potentials and may be helpful in battling a range of diseases. It is obtained widely nowadays through the use of formulas like NutraHerbals Ashwagandha. (amazon.com/organic-ashwagandha-root-powder/dp/B01GZALWGO)