Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Palpitations And Skipped Heart Beats After Using Cocaine?
Question: 36 year old male. I used cocaine recreationally (weekends) for about two years. I have not for over two weeks. For about 5 days I have experienced skipped heartbeats (1-2 per minute), palpitations, and some nausea. Have continued physically activity (cycling, walking) with no unusual loss of breath, but the palpitations and skipped beats return as soon as my heart is at rest again. Is this anxiety or a concerning heart issue?
Brief Answer:
Better to rule out heart disease.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome to Healthcare Magic!
Anxiety can cause palpitations and nausea but it is mostly accompanied by other symptoms as well. People usually are psychologically aware of their anxiety. So, if the symptoms occurred at times when nothing untoward had happened that could have caused anxiety and neither were you feeling anxious, then I do not feel that these can be attributed to anxiety.
The other issue is that cocaine is very commonly associated with heart damage. Even casual users of cocaine have been shown to have heart damage in studies. Although the damage that has been reported in research is more to do with heart musculature and blood flow rather than rhythm disturbances, I would still feel very much relieved if you see a doctor and get some tests done. It will probably come out to be something benign but still it is better not to neglect it.
Please also refrain from using cocaine again. Feel free to ask in case you need any clarifications.
Best wishes.
Dr Preeti Parakh
MD Psychiatry
Better to rule out heart disease.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome to Healthcare Magic!
Anxiety can cause palpitations and nausea but it is mostly accompanied by other symptoms as well. People usually are psychologically aware of their anxiety. So, if the symptoms occurred at times when nothing untoward had happened that could have caused anxiety and neither were you feeling anxious, then I do not feel that these can be attributed to anxiety.
The other issue is that cocaine is very commonly associated with heart damage. Even casual users of cocaine have been shown to have heart damage in studies. Although the damage that has been reported in research is more to do with heart musculature and blood flow rather than rhythm disturbances, I would still feel very much relieved if you see a doctor and get some tests done. It will probably come out to be something benign but still it is better not to neglect it.
Please also refrain from using cocaine again. Feel free to ask in case you need any clarifications.
Best wishes.
Dr Preeti Parakh
MD Psychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
As far as stopping all use, yes! Definitely. That is why i havent been!
I did have a physical about two months ago and all was good.
Would you recommend just making an appointment with my gp, or is a trip to the er recommended?
I did have a physical about two months ago and all was good.
Would you recommend just making an appointment with my gp, or is a trip to the er recommended?
Brief Answer:
An appointment with GP.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
I do not think the symptoms are serious enough to warrant a trip to the ER. I would suggest that you make an appointment with your GP and discuss your symptoms with him. He will then run some tests and ask for an electrocardiogram (ECG). Based on the findings of that, he will let you know if any further evaluation is needed.
Best wishes.
Dr Preeti Parakh
MD Psychiatry
An appointment with GP.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
I do not think the symptoms are serious enough to warrant a trip to the ER. I would suggest that you make an appointment with your GP and discuss your symptoms with him. He will then run some tests and ask for an electrocardiogram (ECG). Based on the findings of that, he will let you know if any further evaluation is needed.
Best wishes.
Dr Preeti Parakh
MD Psychiatry
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
