Can Fentanyl Cause A Heart Attack? Know How To Use Fentanyl Safely

Being one of the best medications for pain, and at the same time being the most used deadly drug you can ever get, that’s Fentanyl. It’s being used illegally as a street drug and often mixed with other drugs to increase their potency. But, medically doctors prescribe fentanyl in pregnancy to deal with labour pain, and often used for pain management in surgeries. But with fentanyl, most people are concerned about their heart health. Mostly, people ask, Can fentanyl cause a heart attack or not? Well, it’s obvious to think like that with fentanyl. So keep reading this blog to get the right information on it and know how to use it safely.

What Is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used medically to manage pain in serious health conditions and surgeries. It’s a last option painkiller, prescribed only if you have failed with other medications. Because of its extreme potency  it has a high risk of overdose. Studies show the comparison of morphine vs fentanyl, and fentanyl is found to be almost 100 times more potent than morphine. According to the FDA, fentanyl is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance.

Fentanyl Effects On The Body

Fentanyl effects are rapidly noticed in the body just after a few minutes of use. The effects are the same for everyone; the frequency of effects makes the difference. Here are some of the common effects of fentanyl on the body.

• Heavy Sedation
• Confusion
• Severe Drowsiness
• Muscle stiffness
• Respiratory depression
• Pinpoint pupils

Can Fentanyl Cause A Heart Attack? Know In Detail

Yes, fentanyl can cause a heart attack. But only in case of overdose. As fentanyl is a highly potent medication so the risk of overdose is very high. A minimum dose of 2 milligrams can lead to a fatal overdose. Not only heart attack, but fentanyl can also cause other life-threatening heart and cardiovascular problems like cardiac arrest. Medically, fentanyl has a lower chance of these problems. As it comes with enough safety, it is also advised to use it under a doctor’s supervision. Using illegal fentanyl carries a high risk of overdose, and you might notice some signs of fentanyl poisoning.

How Can Fentanyl Cause A Heart Attack?

Fentanyl causes a heart attack because of its extreme effects on the body. It slows down the heart rate and blood pressure, and also causes hypoxia because of severe respiratory depression. Which later hampers the heart until it stops its functioning. In some cases, it can rapidly stop breathing. Also fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs to increase their potency, but mixing drugs can lead to several problems in your heart. In rare cases people notice damaged heart muscle, resulting in cardiogenic shock.

How Does Fentanyl Affect The Heart?

Fentanyl affects the heart by causing severe respiratory depression. Also causes hypoxia, and with time, its frequency can increase and lead to some serious problems like cardiac arrest. However, the effects on the body are somehow connected with fentanyl’seffects on the brain. As fentanyl causes hypoxia, and due to improper oxygen supply, the brain can be dysfunctional, which can lead to several other problems. In high doses of fentanyl, you can notice arrhythmias because of the improper function of cardiac cells. Also, there is a high risk of accidental fentanyl exposure, which can later result in cardiovascular problems.

What Can You Do About It?

If you are facing some heart problems with fentanyl, then seek emergency medical service and rush to the hospital ASAP. Also, you can take Naloxone. And if a person gets unconscious, then give him CPR (only if you know how to give it). These problems are mainly noticeable in chronic use. So, once after getting normal, you can go for fentanyl addiction treatment to quit fentanyl safely. Addiction recovery is a long process, so to boost it, you can follow some rehab programs.

Safety Measures Of Using Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a highly potent synthetic opioid. With a minimal dose, you can face this problem. Using it safely is very important. Here are some of the safety measures you need to follow before using fentanyl.

• Stay under a medical or doctor’s supervision.
• Carry Naloxone: As it reverses the opioid effects
• Use it according to the prescription.
• Use fentanyl test strips.
• There is a high risk of overdose so be aware of the signs of overdose.
• Don’t use fentanyl alone.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

So, fentanyl can cause a heart attack if overdosed, and can also cause several other cardiovascular problems, like cardiac arrest. As fentanyl results in severe respiratory depression, which makes breathing slower, heart rate slower, and affects the heart until it stops. In some cases, it can suddenly stop your heart. To avoid such problems, it’s important to follow the safety measures.