Khat Use: History and Heart Failure

Abstract

Recent reports suggest that 20 million people worldwide are regularly using khat as a stimulant, even though the habit of chewing khat is known to cause serious health issues. Historical evidence suggests khat use has existed since the 13th century in Ethiopia and the southwestern Arabian regions even before the cultivation and use of coffee. In the past three decades, its availability and use spread all over the world including the United States and Europe. Most of the consumers in the Western world are immigrant groups from Eastern Africa or the Middle East. The global transport and availability of khat has been enhanced by the development of synthetic forms of its active component. The World Health Organization considers khat a drug of abuse since it causes a range of health problems. However, it remains lawful in some countries. Khat use has long been a part of Yemeni culture and is used in virtually every social occasion. The main component of khat is cathinone, which is structurally and functionally similar to amphetamine and cocaine. Several studies have demonstrated that khat chewing has unfavorable cardiovascular effects. The effect on the myocardium could be explained by its effect on the heart rate, blood pressure, its vasomotor effect on the coronary vessels, and its amphetamine-like effects. However, its direct effect on the myocardium needs further elaboration. To date, there are few articles that contribute death among khat chewers to khat-induced heart failure. Further studies are needed to address the risk factors in khat chewers that may explain khat-induced cardiotoxicity, cardiomyopathy, and heart failure.

Miraa Use Among Somali Youth Living in Eastleigh, Nairobi Kenya

“…This study found a higher miraa use among participants who were born out of Eastleigh, of 53.3% meaning they could have migrated to this area compared to those born in Eastleigh, (43.8%). This is similar to other studies, that indicated that miraa use among immigrants from Eastern Africa and the Middle East to the Western world had higher miraa use, [17]. The same was also pointed by Young et al, 2016 among youth immigrants from Africa in Australia, [20].…”

“…In addition, miraa use has been seen to increase physical health problems that include gastrointestinal disorders, high blood pressure, heart failure, autoimmune hepatitis, poor health among those living with HIV/AIDS, poor physical health problems, low birth weight among pregnant women, H. pylori infection, and under nutrition,. " [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]". All the above lead to increased financial problems, poor academic functioning and poorer quality of life, [23].…”

Drug- and toxin-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension: Current state of the literature

“…Cathinone in particular has central nervous system stimulation properties that are similar to amphetamine, producing euphoria and increased alertness in its users. Khat use is an established risk factor for systemic hypertension (140), acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (141) and dilated cardiomyopathy (142). The mechanism by which khat use contributes to AMI appears to be coronary vasospasm and not coronary artery disease (CAD).…”

Public discourse on Khat (Catha edulis) production in Ethiopia: Review

“…Sir Richard Burton described, Khat was introduced to Yemen from Abyssinia in the 15th century (Burton, 1966 cited in Al-Habeshi andSkaug, 2005;Saeed, 1987). El-Menyar et al (2015) reported that the plant is native to Ethiopia and Arabian Peninsula but it is produced widely in Yemen than that of Ethiopia (Saeed, 1987). Gebissa (2008) corroborated that Khat is originated in eastern part of Ethiopia; specifically in Harar.…”