HEART (effects of drugs on) The heart pumps blood around the body. Once drugs are taken and enter the bloodstream the heart also pumps blood containing the drug to the brain, where it will affect how people feel. Different drugs can also have an affect on the heart and the possibility of heart disease. Heavy drinking of alcohol can weaken the heart's ability to pump blood and lead to heart failure although some studies have suggested that moderate consumption may be better for the heart than not drinking alcohol at all. Taking regular and high doses of stimulant drugs like amphetamine, cocaine/ crack, ecstasy, anabolic steroids and even possibly caffeine (too much tea and/or coffee) may increase the risk of heart attacks, especially for people who already have heart problems or high blood pressure. Heavy tobacco use can also lead to greater risk of heart problems. Nicotine, as a kind of stimulant, increases the workload of the heart, while carbon monoxide deprives the heart of the oxygen it needs. Smoking also tends to thicken the blood and means it is less able to flow through narrowed arteries.   Jan 2004