Cardiovascular effects of methamphetamine use disorder: A review of the epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, clinical presentation andmanagement

Methamphetamine (MA) abuse is a global problem with far reaching consequences on physical and mental health of those suffering from this menace. As far as the health complications of methamphetamine abuse are concerned, multiple organ systems undergo pathologic changes which manifest as wide array of clinical signs and symptoms. One of the most commonly affected organs is the heart. Cardiac complications are, in fact, the second leading cause of death in methamphetamine abusers. Cardiac conditions frequently seen in methamphetamine abusers include myocardial infarction, aortic dissection, arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death, malignant hypertension, cardiomyopathy with resultant congestive heart failure and pulmonary hypertension.