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How Does Heavy Daily Methamphetamine Use Affect A Teenager With A Heart Murmur And Two Small Heart Holes?
Yes I m a little concerned about a friend she is 17 years old and smokes a tremendous amount of dabs on a daily she was born with a heart murmur. From my understanding it s not a rare thing for someone to be born with a heart murmur ( having one small hole ) as a matter of fact a large majority of children born with one by a certain age find that it will heal and close on its own, so I ve been told, but my friend does not just have one hole she has two about the size of a sewing needle tip. My concern and actually question is what could this do to her and her health more what can this do to her heart?
posted on
Sat, 13 Jan 2024
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 9 Oct 2025
Answered on
Fri, 31 Oct 2025
Last reviewed on
Hello,
Your friend is advised to stop meth by gradually tapering it under a supervised detox or rehab (meth withdrawal can cause severe depression and fatigue). Help her join a detox or rehab so that she can successfully stop meth use. Her withdrawal symptoms will be managed as she will be under supervision.
Your friend is diagnosed with a heart murmur, and two small septal defects (holes). She is at the risk of sudden cardiac arrest, worsening of the holes or leakage between chambers, heart muscle damage, etc. She is advised to get clinically examined by a Cardiologist, cardiac evaluation should be done urgently. She will need to get an echocardiogram and ECG.
Her treatment will depend on the diagnosis done. In the mean time, if she has shortness of breath, palpitations, chest pain or fainting attacks she should not stay at home and go to ER immediately.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Nupur K., General & Family Physician
Your friend is advised to stop meth by gradually tapering it under a supervised detox or rehab (meth withdrawal can cause severe depression and fatigue). Help her join a detox or rehab so that she can successfully stop meth use. Her withdrawal symptoms will be managed as she will be under supervision.
Your friend is diagnosed with a heart murmur, and two small septal defects (holes). She is at the risk of sudden cardiac arrest, worsening of the holes or leakage between chambers, heart muscle damage, etc. She is advised to get clinically examined by a Cardiologist, cardiac evaluation should be done urgently. She will need to get an echocardiogram and ECG.
Her treatment will depend on the diagnosis done. In the mean time, if she has shortness of breath, palpitations, chest pain or fainting attacks she should not stay at home and go to ER immediately.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Nupur K., General & Family Physician
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