The Connection Between Addiction and Heart Health: What Recovery Can Reveal 

When people think about addiction, they often focus on cravings, behavior, or mental health. What gets talked about far less is the toll substance use can take on the heart.

February is Heart Health Month, a time to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease claims nearly 1 million lives each year. What many people don’t realize is that alcohol, opioids, and stimulants can significantly increase that risk, especially when use goes untreated.

At BrightView Health, heart health and recovery are deeply connected, because addiction doesn’t only affect the brain. It affects the entire body.

How Substance Use Impacts the Heart

Substances place stress on the cardiovascular system in different ways, often quietly and over time.

Alcohol

Chronic or heavy alcohol use can raise blood pressure, disrupt heart rhythm, and weaken the heart muscle. Over time, this can lead to conditions like cardiomyopathy, where the heart struggles to pump blood effectively.

Stimulants (such as cocaine or methamphetamine)

Stimulants dramatically increase heart rate and blood pressure while constricting blood vessels. This combination raises the risk of heart attack, stroke, and sudden cardiac events, even in younger adults with no prior heart disease.

Opioids

Opioids slow breathing and reduce oxygen levels in the body. During overdose, oxygen deprivation can place extreme strain on the heart. Certain opioids can also contribute to abnormal heart rhythms if not properly monitored.

Recent research highlighted by the American Heart Association shows that drug- and alcohol-related cardiovascular deaths are increasing, with alcohol linked to the majority of substance-associated heart deaths, followed by opioids and stimulants.

“Too many people underestimate the physical toll that substance use takes on the body, especially the heart,” said Dr. Deana Kimes, Vice President of Medical Affairs at BrightView Health. “Addiction is a medical condition that affects multiple systems. When we treat it responsibly, we have to look beyond behavior and address physical health, including cardiovascular risk.”

Addiction Is Common and Often Untreated

The scope of substance use in the U.S. is significant. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, more than 48 million Americans experienced a substance use disorder in the past year.

Despite this, many people go years without consistent medical care. That means heart problems related to substance use often go undetected, especially when symptoms are dismissed as anxiety, stress, or aging.

A Patient Story: What Recovery Uncovered

That was the case for “Jordan”, a BrightView patient whose name has been changed for privacy.

Jordan came to BrightView seeking help for stimulant and alcohol use. Heart health wasn’t top of mind.

“I thought the racing heart and chest tightness were just anxiety,” Jordan shared.
“I didn’t think it was anything serious.”

During intake, clinicians noticed elevated blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat. Further evaluation revealed early signs that Jordan’s heart had been under strain, something that likely would have continued unnoticed without treatment.

“It was honestly scary, but also motivating,” Jordan said. “I came in for recovery, but I ended up finding out I was protecting my life in more ways than one.”

With coordinated medical care, Jordan began addressing both substance use and cardiovascular health through treatment, monitoring, and lifestyle changes.

Warning Signs That Shouldn’t Be Ignored

If you or a loved one is using substances, it’s important to take heart-related symptoms seriously, including:

• Chest pain or pressure
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Dizziness or fainting

These symptoms don’t always mean heart disease, but they do warrant medical attention.

“We often see patients who assumed symptoms were just stress or panic,” Dr. Kimes explained. “Recovery creates an opportunity to identify and address health risks early, before they turn into emergencies.”

How Recovery Supports Heart Health

Entering recovery doesn’t just reduce substance use, it gives the heart a chance to heal.

As substance use stabilizes, many patients experience:

• Lower blood pressure
• Improved oxygen levels
• More regular heart rhythms
• Better sleep and energy

“When patients start feeling physically better, it reinforces why treatment matters,” said Dr. Kimes. “Recovery is about restoring health, not just stopping substances.”

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), regular medical monitoring, and whole-person care all play a role in protecting long-term cardiovascular health.

Heart Health Month Is a Reminder to Look at the Whole Person

This February, Heart Health Month offers an important reminder: addiction treatment and physical health care shouldn’t be separated.

When people receive comprehensive, compassionate treatment:

• Hidden health risks are uncovered
• Lives are extended and improved
• Recovery becomes more sustainable

You don’t have to choose between recovery and your heart. Treatment supports both.

If you or someone you love has concerns about substance use or heart health, reaching out for care could be the first step toward healing, in every sense of the word.