Substance abuse, particularly injecting illicit drugs intravenously, has been associated with a surge in a deadly heart infection. Injection drug abuse can lead to various cardiovascular problems, including collapsed veins, bacterial infections of the heart valves and blood vessels, and infective endocarditis (IE).
The Connection Between Drug Abuse and Heart Infections
Illicit drug abuse is responsible for a range of health complications, including lung disease, abnormal heart rate, cancer, stroke, and mental health disorders. One risk of intravenous drug abuse raising concern amongst medical professionals is the upsurge in heart infections. Infective endocarditis is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when bacteria or other pathogens attach to the inner lining of the heart.
Inflammation of the endocardium, which is the inner lining of the heart chambers and valves, can occur from dental procedures, contaminated medical devices, and non-sterile drug injection needles. When harmful bacteria enter the bloodstream from intravenous drug use, they can latch onto the heart’s inner lining, resulting in infective endocarditis and other severe health complications. Research shows that recreational intravenous drug use accounts for approximately 10% of infectious endocarditis cases.
The Role of Injection Drug Use and Heart Infections
Injecting drugs intravenously is the most significant risk factor for developing heart infections. When individuals engage in intravenous drug abuse, they often use non-sterile needles, share needles, or inject drugs that are contaminated with harmful bacteria. During this process, the substance enters the bloodstream through the injection site and then travels to the heart.
When harmful substances and bacteria enter the heart, they can cohere to the heart valves or chambers, resulting in infective endocarditis. Cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, and other injectable illicit substances are closely associated with heart infections.
Death rates involving infective endocarditis have significantly spiked, especially in young adults with substance use disorders (SUDs). The opioid crisis in the United States continues to see a rise in opioid addictions and cases of infective endocarditis among young people.
The Pathophysiology of Heart Infections in Intravenous (IV) Drug Users
The pathophysiology of infectious endocarditis in intravenous drug users involves several steps. Using a non-sterile needle or injector introduces the bacteria in the bloodstream through the drug injection process. When bacteria enter the bloodstream, they may attach to existing damaged or irregular areas of the heart, particularly the valves.
Recreational intravenous drug use exacerbates existing heart conditions or complications such as pre-existing heart valve disease. If the bacteria from the IV drug injection adheres to the heart’s surface, it can multiply and form vegetation. The formation of vegetation in the heart is masses of bacteria, blood clots, and other cellular debris. Infectious endocarditis from intravenous (IV) drug abuse occurs most often in young males in their 20s and 30s.
Health Risks of Drug-Related Heart Issues
Drug-related heart issues from intravenous substance abuse can lead to severe health complications, including heart valve damage, systemic embolization, sepsis, and heart failure. Heart infections like endocarditis can cause severe damage to the heart valves, leading to valve regurgitation or stenosis, which can result in heart failure without treatment.
Individuals with existing heart valve issues like valve abnormalities, artificial valves, or previous heart valve surgeries are more susceptible to developing infective endocarditis.
Pieces of the bacterial vegetation can break off and travel through the bloodstream, causing blockages in other organs. Bacterial vegetation in the brain, kidneys, or lungs can lead to stroke, kidney failure, or pulmonary embolism. Intravenous (IV) drug users can get sepsis, a life-threatening condition if the infection spreads throughout the body.
Addressing the Drug Crisis: Prevention and Addiction Treatment
The drug crisis in the United States extends beyond the opioid epidemic. Intravenous drug use, including cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, amphetamines, and more, has fueled the surge in heart infections. This increase in cases of infective endocarditis has put a strain on healthcare systems while emphasizing the urgent need for improvements in drug prevention and treatment programs. Preventing intravenous drug abuse and drug-related heart infections requires attention from public health officials and healthcare providers.
Harm Reduction Programs
Needle exchange programs, safe injection facilities, and access to sterile injection equipment can help reduce the risk of bacterial infections among intravenous drug users. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, syringe service programs (SSPs) provide various services. As a community-based prevention program, SSPs provide access to sterile syringes and injection equipment and link to drug addiction treatment.
Safe injection facilities (SIFs) have played a role in reducing harm and social costs associated with intravenous drug abuse. In addition to infective endocarditis, injection drug users (IDUs) are at risk for viral hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, and other bacterial and fungal infections.
Drug Addiction Treatment Programs
Providing access to drug detox facilities and addiction treatment programs is a critical aspect of addressing the US drug crisis. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) help individuals stop abusing drugs intravenously and reduce their risk of heart infections.
Drug addiction treatment facilities administer effective treatments and therapies to address all aspects of substance abuse. With access to drug rehabilitation programs, more individuals can get the help they so desperately need. Stopping the process of injecting illicit drugs is essential for safeguarding your heart, psychological well-being, and overall physiological health.
Early Diagnosis and Treatment for Endocarditis from IV Drug Use
Early diagnosis and treatment for those who develop infective endocarditis from illicit drug abuse can help prevent life-threatening consequences. Treatment for drug-related heart infections like endocarditis may involve a comprehensive treatment plan integrating screening for substance use disorder (SUD).
With the recent surge in drug-induced deaths from endocarditis, the need for effective and immediate treatment is apparent. Treating endocarditis from intravenous drug use may involve antibiotics and, in severe cases, surgery to replace or repair damaged heart valves. Medications for drug-induced endocarditis may vary depending on the individual’s substance abuse history and health conditions.
By addressing the root causes of intravenous drug abuse and implementing prevention strategies and treatments, we can work towards tackling this growing issue and reduce the impact of substance abuse in the US.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, call us today. Coastal Detox offers various drug detox treatments, including heroin and opioid detox programs in Stuart, FL.
References:
- American Heart Association, 2024. Illegal Drugs and Heart Disease.
- StatPearls, 2023. Infectious Endocarditis.
- American Heart Association, 2023. Heart infection deaths rising among young adults.
- Heart, 2003. Injection drug use and right sided endocarditis.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024. Infectious Diseases in Persons Who Inject Drugs.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024. Syringe Services Programs.
- American Journal of Public Health, 2008. The Law (and Politics) of Safe Injection Facilities in the United States.
- Mayo Clinic, 2022. Endocarditis.