Sean Hennessy and colleagues, including DBEI faculty member Warren Bilker, developed the first cardiovascular risk prediction model specifically for people who use cocaine or methamphetamine. Using electronic health record data from nearly 7,000 patients, the study found that almost 30% experienced a major cardiovascular event, including heart attack, stroke, or heart failure, within three years. The research addressed a critical gap in clinical care, as existing cardiovascular risk calculators were not designed for this high-risk population.
The team translated these findings into a practical clinical tool that estimates an individual’s short-term cardiovascular risk using information readily available during routine care, without requiring laboratory testing. By enabling clinicians to identify patients at greatest risk, this work has the potential to support more targeted prevention and treatment strategies. The study highlights an important and often overlooked public health challenge and establishes a foundation for future efforts to improve cardiovascular outcomes among people who use stimulants.
The study was also featured by Penn’s Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics: People Who Use Stimulants Face Hidden Heart Risks, Penn Study Finds.