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Is my heart failing? Serious question from meth user

E

easks1

Greenlighter
Joined
Mar 31, 2022
Messages
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I am wondering if something is really wrong with my heart, like heart failure. I am an active meth user, I relapsed a few months ago but have been daily using these past 3-4 weeks. On and off using or the past few months. And then many many years ago I have had two couple year sessions of every day use. Here are a few things I am noticing:

1. Sometimes when I take hits my heart rate will drop significantly. For example from 110 to 62. Then it takes a little while to go back up to about 90ish or something. This happened a couple times when smoking today for the first time after about 12 hours of sleep. I will link to some pictures from my Apple Watch heart rate readings

(screenshot from today)

IMG_4844.PNG

drive.google.com drive.google.com

2. The heart rate drop has also happened at other times, not directly related to smoking, but usually always when I am high. (Screenshots attached)

(Screenshot from yesterday)

IMG_4845.PNG

drive.google.com drive.google.com

3. Recently my Apple Watch heart rate fluctuates significantly
Example: just from moving my arm to pickup a cup if goes from 89 to 105 within seconds, then back down to 95 within about 30 seconds.


My main question is:

1. Is this normal from meth use?
1. Does anyone else experience this?
2. Is this signs of heart failure or other issue?

I know I should stop smoking meth, that is a given and I am working on it. I just want to see if these symptoms mean something major is going on that I should take action on right now.
 
i`d seek professional advice, was curious of your age, but heart attacks can happen in the young, but yes please see a doc, if no insurance, emergency room cant turn you away
 
those watches are not very good, you should use them as a guide only.

my watch routinely shows my heartrate dropping precipitously while i'm out running, and if that was happening, an ambulance would be called. i think the same goes for you. we can't offer medical advice, get yourself checked out, but remember those watches are not diagnostic tools.
 
easks1 said:
I am wondering if something is really wrong with my heart, like heart failure. I am an active meth user, I relapsed a few months ago but have been daily using these past 3-4 weeks. On and off using or the past few months. And then many many years ago I have had two couple year sessions of every day use. Here are a few things I am noticing:

1. Sometimes when I take hits my heart rate will drop significantly. For example from 110 to 62. Then it takes a little while to go back up to about 90ish or something. This happened a couple times when smoking today for the first time after about 12 hours of sleep. I will link to some pictures from my Apple Watch heart rate readings

(screenshot from today)

IMG_4844.PNG

drive.google.com drive.google.com

2. The heart rate drop has also happened at other times, not directly related to smoking, but usually always when I am high. (Screenshots attached)

(Screenshot from yesterday)

IMG_4845.PNG

drive.google.com drive.google.com

3. Recently my Apple Watch heart rate fluctuates significantly
Example: just from moving my arm to pickup a cup if goes from 89 to 105 within seconds, then back down to 95 within about 30 seconds.


My main question is:

1. Is this normal from meth use?
1. Does anyone else experience this?
2. Is this signs of heart failure or other issue?

I know I should stop smoking meth, that is a given and I am working on it. I just want to see if these symptoms mean something major is going on that I should take action on right now.
Click to expand...
There can be a paradoxical effect from the failure of the baroreceptor reflex. I have had this happen on binges many times. You take a hit or do a line, heart rate goes from pretty rapid to slow as the meth hits. When this happens blood pressure rises dramatically. Try finding some better vasodilator agents, or take more frequent breaks. This is not, on its own, a cause for concern. The temporary spike in blood pressure with the drop in heart rate generally normalizes. However if you have chest pain or discomfort or other symptoms of course seek medical attention.
 
At age 50 and after three intense years of meth use (IV and smoking) I developed some symptoms of congestive heart failure -,shortness of breath, tachycardia, hypertension, swollen ankles etc). I was very worried and went to see a cardiologist.

Assessment of cardiac health needs a few tests. An ECG is just the start. You need an ultrasound, a a stress test, and a 24 hour Halter Monitor. I had all of these and found out that my heart is fine with some thickening of the muscle in one chamber that is still just within bounds of normal.

I revealed all my extensive historical IV stimulant drug use to the cardiologist but underplayed the current level. He said meth use is not really a driver of chromic heart disease unless it has been regular daily use for a decade or more. Cocaine much more cardio toxic in a much shorter time.

However, meth does have risks for acute heart problems- like a cardiac arrest for people with undiagnosed susceptibility. It it is not always possible to test somebody for this. - shit just happens.

If I were you I would not panic but I would go see a specialist cardiologist and tell them the truth.
 
You're probably looking at heart arrhythmias and will no doubt be linked to blood pressure.
The first is the most common as is the second. If your heart isn't pumping blood properly then that would account for the erratic fluctuations in your heart rate.

It could be indication of something underlying, or it could also be down to taking meth.
When you're taking meth though, you're always gambling on your heart health as it's widely known that it affects those (particularly those who have taken it for a long time and often) who take it.
There's all sorts of changes in how the heart functions from abusing meth and long-term it can affect how the main pumping artery in the heart pumps blood.

One of the biggest side effects of meth use is catecholamine activity that is excessive. This is responsible for the cardiotoxic properties
 
Please see a cardiologist or doctor. You will not get into legal trouble if you tell how you use METH or any other drugs you use.
 
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