ecstasy and heart disease

Last reviewed 01/2018

• 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly referred to as Ecstasy, is a widely abused, psychoactive recreational drug
• MDMAs neurotoxic to serotonergic neurons in vivo, and induces programmed cell death in cultured human serotonergic cells and rat neocortical neurons
• effects of MDMA on the cardiovascular system include:
  • tachycardia and hypertension
  • sudden onset cardiac arrhythmia including atrial fibrillation
  • strokes have been implicated as due to ecstasy use
  • to date there is no evidence that regular ecstasy use leads to coronary artery disease or atheroma in the peripheral circulation

Reference:

1. British Heart Foundation (Factfile 6/2003). Illicit Drugs And The Heart.