### How Opioid Addiction Affects the Heart and What You Can Do About It Opioid addiction can lead to various heart problems, including atrial fibrillation, stroke, heart failure, and heart attack. Here's why this happens and what you can do to mitigate these risks: #### Why Opioids Affect the Heart Opioids can alter your heart's electrical activity and change the way you breathe while you sleep, which can lead to irregular heartbeats or arrhythmias. For example, atrial fibrillation, where the upper chambers of your heart beat irregularly, can increase your risk for stroke and heart failure. Some opioids, like methadone, can cause a life-threatening condition called long QT interval, which can lead to fainting and sudden cardiac arrest. #### Risks of Opioid Overdose When people overdose on opioids, their breathing and heart rate slow down, leading to a lack of oxygen in the brain and potential brain damage. This can result in cardiac arrest, where the heart stops beating. #### Endocarditis Risk People who inject opioids using dirty or shared needles are at higher risk for bacterial infections that can lead to endocarditis, an inflammation of the heart's lining. #### What You Can Do 1. **Get Your Heart Checked:** If you take opioids, have regular heart check-ups. 2. **Avoid Using Alone:** Opioid-related cardiac arrests are more common when you're alone. 3. **Use Naloxone:** If someone overdoses, naloxone can help them start breathing again. 4. **Seek Help for Addiction:** Consult a doctor who specializes in opioid addiction treatment. 5. **Be Aware of Other Health Conditions:** Opioids are riskier if you have conditions like heart disease or diabetes. 6. **Follow Prescriptions Carefully:** Always take opioids as prescribed and avoid mixing them with other risky medications like benzodiazepines. By understanding these risks and taking preventive measures, you can better protect your heart health while dealing with opioid addiction.