February 10, 2017
It’s no secret that country towns in Queensland – including those in the South Burnett – have a problem with ice and other amphetamine-related drugs.
But what the drug users probably don’t know is that amphetamines are making them age quicker, and putting them at greater risk of strokes and heart attacks.
Research carried out by scientists from the University of Western Australia, released on Friday, has shown the detrimental effects of long-term amphetamine use on the vascular system.
The study found that hardening of arteries increases more dramatically as the user gets older.
The researchers followed 55 amphetamine users, 107 tobacco users, 68 methadone users and 483 non-smokers over five years.
People with known cardiovascular disease or therapy or acute exposure to alcohol, cannabis or heroin were not included in the research.
Associate Professor Stuart Reece said the results of the study suggested people who use amphetamines age much faster than non-addicts and those who were occasional users.
It also found that long-term amphetamine users aged at an exponential rate.
“These findings show an increase in the risk of strokes, heart attacks, and many other arterial diseases from abuse of the substance,” he said.
When the results were adjusted to account for known causes of the hardening of arteries, the effects remained regardless.
The study has been published by Heart Asia.
