ABSTRACT
Drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines, ecstasy, lysergic acid diamide (LSD) and pencyclidine hydrochloride (PCP) exert their predominant effect by raising the level of adrenaline within the blood stream. This gives a feeling of excitement and lifting of the spirits, but at the same time will cause a tachycardia and rise in the blood pressure. This is usually well tolerated in young people with normal hearts, but clearly could be dangerous with anyone with potential heart problems. Opiates such as morphine and pethidine work in different ways, but can still produce abnormal heart rhythms, while solvent abuse is predominantly similar to alcohol intoxication with at least half the deaths being caused by arrhythmias.
