Pharmacological and recreational substance abuse – An emerging risk to cardiovascular health among the younger population

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death all over the world. Recent epidemiological studies have shown a rising trend of cardiovascular disease among the younger population worldwide. Beside established cardiovascular risk factors, an emerging risk factor has been identified among adolescents and adults aged 20 to 40 which is ‘substance abuse’. It includes abuse of pharmacological as well as recreational substances.A review of the literature was performed to identify the prevalence of substance abuse among young adults below 40 and its correlation with premature cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It has been identified that substance abuse whether it is pharmacological or recreational isstrongly associated with adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and a potential cause of rising premature cardiovascular disease mortality and morbidity among the younger generation across genders.