Cardiovascular Complications of Chronic Opium Consumption: A Narrative Review Article

• Main Authors: Mojtaba ZIAEE, Reza HAJIZADEH, Arash KHORRAMI, Nariman SEPEHRVAND, Saeideh MOMTAZ, Samad GHAFFARI
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tehran University of Medical Sciences 2019-12-01
• Series: Iranian Journal of Public Health
• Subjects: Opium; Cardiovascular disease; Drug interactions; Metabolic effects; Mortality
• Online Access: https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/19063

Opiates are the second most prevalent abused illicit sub­stance after cannabis in the world. The latest United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report estimated 30% increment in opium cultivation worldwide. High prevalence of opium consumption in eastern countries may be due to the high availability and traditional misconceptions. Opium consumption has been linked to hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and coronary artery diseases (CAD). In this review, we will review the association between opium use, cardiovascular diseases, and clinical outcomes. The present evidence suggests that chronic opiate consumption may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and related mortality.