Use of Psychostimulants and Their Silent Effects on Cardiovascular Health Among Brazilian Young Adults Aged 18 to 25 Years

Abstract

The use of psychostimulants among Brazilian youth has intensified in recent decades, particularly in academic and professional settings characterized by high competitiveness and sleep deprivation. Although these substances are widely associated with improved cognitive performance, their cardiovascular effects, especially in subclinical forms, remain underrecognized in this age group. To analyze, through the scientific literature, the silent effects of psychostimulants on the cardiovascular system of Brazilian young adults aged 18 to 25 years, with emphasis on pathophysiological mechanisms and the main hemodynamic and structural alterations described. This is a narrative literature review conducted through searches in the PubMed, SciELO, and NCBI Bookshelf databases, including publications from 2020 to 2024. Observational studies, reviews, and clinically based articles addressing the medical and non-medical use of psychostimulants and their cardiovascular repercussions in young populations were included. Studies focusing exclusively on pediatric or elderly populations or on contexts not related to the cardiovascular system were excluded. The analyzed studies indicate a consistent association between psychostimulant use and persistent activation of the sympathetic nervous system, evidenced by increased blood pressure, elevated heart rate, reduced heart rate variability, and subtle electrocardiographic changes, such as QT interval prolongation. Imaging findings also suggest early signs of cardiac remodeling, including mild ventricular hypertrophy and increased arterial stiffness, even in young and apparently healthy individuals. The indiscriminate use of psychostimulants represents an emerging risk factor for the early development of subclinical cardiovascular alterations in Brazilian youth. These findings highlight the need for health education strategies, cardiovascular monitoring, and the promotion of rational use of these substances, as well as the encouragement of healthy lifestyle habits as long-term preventive measures.