Per a recent article in U.S. News & World Report, a research review conducted at the University of New England points to a significant increase in U.S. opioid-related heart attacks.[1]
After analyzing data from over 1.4 million cardiac arrest hospitalizations nationwide between 2012 and 2018, the medical research team, led by Senada Malik, found more than 43,000 (3.1%) heart attacks occurred in opioid users, as well as a substantial spike in opioid-related cardiac arrest over the course of the 7-year study period.
While the research team found incidents of in-hospital death among cardiac patients were similar among opioid users and those who didn’t use opioids (57% vs. 61%, respectively), “Certain risk factors were markedly higher in opioid users. For example, the study found that opioid users had higher rates of alcohol abuse (about 17% versus 7%), depression (about 19% vs. 9%) and smoking (37% vs. nearly 22%) than those who didn’t use opioids.”[2]
Per U.S. News & World Report, this study will be presented at an upcoming virtual annual meeting of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). In a press release, Malik stated, “This was an observational study, so we cannot conclude causality; but the findings do suggest that the opioid epidemic in the U.S. may have contributed to an increasing number of cardiac arrests. The rise in opioid-related cardiac arrests during the study period was significant. By 2018, opioids were related to a similar number of cardiac arrests. as all other reasons put together.”[3]
According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, over 10 million Americans abuse opioids each year, and nearly 50,000 people die every year due to opioid overdose.[4]
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who directs emergency medicine at South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore, N.Y., commented about how harmful opioids can be to the heart. “While cause and effect can’t be proven, “it seems that the opioid epidemic in the U.S. during the same time period with higher incidence of risk factors in the affected during the same time period with higher incidence of risk factors in the affected population contributed to escalating rates of cardiac arrest.”[5]
Adding to Gupta’s cautionary statement, Dr. Guy Mintz, Northwell Health’s director of cardiovascular health at the Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y., said, “Most people hear opioid overdose and worry about addiction. People need to be made aware of the real dangers of opioids. The fact that opioids are associated with an increased risk of cardiac arrest and [a majority] of those patients die is important for people to know.”[6]
Both doctors agreed with Malik, the study’s team leader, who observed the statistics do not convey the personal tragedy the opioid epidemic inflicts on both the user and his or her families, friends and coworkers.
“The rising use of opioids is having a devastating impact on the lives of many Americans,” she said. “Abuse of these drugs has been linked with poor lifestyle choices, including excessive alcohol intake, lack of exercise, insufficient sleep and smoking — which can lead to a downward spiral of poor decision-making.”[7]
Mintz concluded there is a grave need for better education about the whole range of consequences involved—including potentially lethal damage to the heart—in opioid use, abuse and dependency.
“Society needs to improve education, counseling and get this message out loud and clear to school-age children, and [it should be] reinforced in middle school and high school. Failure to do so will contribute to the number of cardiac arrests and death. The choice is ours.”[8]
[1] Rising Number of U.S. Cardiac Arrests Tied to Opioid Abuse | Health News | US News
[2] Steep rise in cardiac arrests associated with opioid use — ScienceDaily
[3] Rising Number of U.S. Cardiac Arrests Tied to Opioid Abuse | Health News | US News
[4] Opioid Crisis Statistics [2021]: Prescription Opiod Abuse (drugabusestatistics.org)
[5] Rising Number of U.S. Cardiac Arrests Tied to Opioid Abuse | Health News | US News
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.