There are a number of potential causes of stroke due to the effects of recreational drugs. These are linked to their effects on the cardiovascular system including:
- Increased risk of stroke linked to use of stimulant drugs. Use of these drugs can cause changes in blood pressure in the brain where a blood vessel may constrict or cause an aneurysm to rupture. Stimulant drugs can cause cause thromboembolism in a variety of different responses to drugs including Atrial Fibrillation or the drugs effect on platelet aggregation (stickiness).
- Increased risk of stroke has been linked to use of IV and IM drugs administration. There are several potential causes for this including damage to the blood vessel/s used for IV injection or the introduction of infection leading to inflammation within the heart (endocarditis) and arrhythmias (including AF). Endocarditis is also linked to IM route where bacteria enter the blood stream either through direct contamination (needle) or intramuscular abscesses. For More information on bacterial endocarditis and risk of stroke visit the STARs Topic Loop
- Increased risk of stroke has been linked to use of long term cannabis use. This is known to cause cardiomyopathy leading to heart failure and arrhythmias (Modi et al 2021). https://www.proquest.com/openview/2474f957ad6bd520e484fdfad8d43c0c/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=2045583
For more detailed information on recreational drugs visit: Talk to Frank
For more detailed information and support on drink and drugs for those under 25s visit: The Mix
Page last reviewed: 20 Apr 2022
