Which of the following is an effect of using cocaine?

Which of the following is an effect of using cocaine?

• A. All of the above
• B. Chest pain
• C. High blood pressure
• D. Rapid heart rate

Answer: (A)

Cocaine acts as a powerful stimulant that ramps up the body’s sympathetic (fight-or-flight) system. It blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine and other monoamines, flooding the synapses and causing urgent cardiovascular effects. This leads to a rapid heart rate (tachycardia) as the heart works harder, and to higher blood pressure due to vasoconstriction and increased vascular tone. The combination also raises the heart’s oxygen demand, which can produce chest pain, sometimes from coronary vasospasm even if arteries aren’t blocked. Because these acute cardiovascular effects commonly occur together with cocaine use, the most accurate answer is that all of these effects can happen.

Cocaine acts as a powerful stimulant that ramps up the body’s sympathetic (fight-or-flight) system. It blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine and other monoamines, flooding the synapses and causing urgent cardiovascular effects. This leads to a rapid heart rate (tachycardia) as the heart works harder, and to higher blood pressure due to vasoconstriction and increased vascular tone. The combination also raises the heart’s oxygen demand, which can produce chest pain, sometimes from coronary vasospasm even if arteries aren’t blocked. Because these acute cardiovascular effects commonly occur together with cocaine use, the most accurate answer is that all of these effects can happen.