Researchers suggest several ways that cocaine may trigger a
heart attack. Cocaine can cause a sudden rise
in blood pressure,
heart rate and contractions of the left ventricle (or pumping chamber) of the heart. These effects can increase the risk of a heart attack. Cocaine also tightly squeezes, or constricts, the coronary arteries that feed blood to the heart. If the artery constricts, blood flow to the heart and brain can be obstructed, causing a heart attack or stroke.