How Long Does Cocaine Chest Pain Last?

Cocaine chest pain won’t last forever – get answers, find relief, and reclaim your health with Purpose Healing.

What are the Effects of Cocaine on Your Heart and Cardiovascular System?

Even young, otherwise healthy people can experience severe cardiovascular complications from cocaine. In addition to heart attack, cocaine users are at risk of:

• Congestive heart failure (CHF). When the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs, fluid builds up in your lungs and other parts of the body. There are different stages of CHF, and it can be a life-limiting condition.
• Aortic dissection. Increased blood pressure from cocaine use can cause a tear in the aorta (the body’s largest artery). This can be a life-threatening condition.
• Coronary artery disease (CAD). Cocaine use can harden the arteries, restricting blood flow to the heart. Persons with CAD are at a greater risk of acute coronary syndrome and other complications.
• Using cocaine increases the likelihood that you will have a stroke. This includes both ischemic strokes (caused by reduced blood flow and blockages, called myocardial ischemia) and hemorrhagic strokes (bleeding into the brain).
• People who use cocaine take the drug in different ways. Those who engage in intravenous drug use of any kind risk infections of the heart.
• Sudden cardiac death. Cocaine strains your heart muscle, which can increase the likelihood of sudden, unexpected death.
• Blood clots. Cocaine use is associated with thrombosis, another name for blood clots inside of a blood vessel.

Stopping cocaine use is the best way to avoid heart problems, such as cocaine associated myocardial infarction.

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Do Heart Attacks From Cocaine Always Happen Right Away?

No. Due to the presence of cocaine metabolites, it is possible to experience cocaine induced myocardial infarction days after use. While the risk is the highest within the first hour, it’s essential to listen to medical professionals involved in your care.

Low-risk patients may not need hospitalization for chest pain. In this case, you may be monitored in a chest pain observation unit and released within 9-12 hours. Others might require a longer monitoring period.

Increased Risk of Other Health Concerns in Cocaine Users

Long-term cocaine use leads to an increased risk of many different complications. Not limited to heart attack and related concerns, these may include:

• People with and without existing seizure disorders can experience an increase in seizure activity following cocaine use.
• Cocaine overdose. In some cases, other substances, like alcohol, may be involved.
• Increasingly severe psychological effects. For example, aggression, paranoia, hallucinations, anxiety, and panic attacks.
• Brain changes. Cocaine changes the reward system in your brain. Over time, these changes can reverse in those who recover.
• Gastrointestinal problems. These can range from nausea and abdominal pain to tears and ulcerations (caused by reduced blood flow in the digestive tract).
• Respiratory issues. Loss of smell, nosebleeds, and nasal septum damage can occur in those who snort cocaine.

People who abuse cocaine do so for different reasons. For example, increased alertness and energy. Finding out why you use cocaine is often a vital part of the treatment process.