Khat Chewing Induces Cardiac Arrhythmia

Abstract

Background: Khat is a natural stimulant from the Catha edulis plant containing several chemical components, which can explain palpitation as a frequent symptom that develops during or after khat chewing. Aims: To study the effects of khat chewing on cardiac rhythm. Methods: We selected sixty khat-chewing Yemeni individuals and divided them into two groups: 30 were cardiac patients and the other 30 were non-cardiac individuals. All 60 individuals underwent 24 hours holter monitoring for 2 consequent days; the first was a khat-free day and the next was a khat-chewing day. The two groups were matched for age, sex, smoking habit, BSA, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Non sustained Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) was defined as 3 or more wide QRS complexes at a rate of 120 beats/min and for a period less than 20 seconds. Results: The non-sustained VT was found on 7 (23.3%) of the 30 cardiac patients on a khat-chewing day compared to 2 patients (6.6%) on a khat-free day (p < 0.01). A significant difference was also seen among the normal individuals; 1 patient (3.3%) developed short runs of VT on a khat-chewing day compared to non VT on a khat-free day. Conclusions: 1) Serious arrhythmias occur in both cardiac and noncardiac individuals during khat chewing days although they are more prominent among cardiac patients. 2) This may indicate beta-blocker usage for high risk khat chewers before khat chewing.

Prevalence and determinants of cardiac arrhythmias and conduction anomalies in adults aged ≥ 40 years in Jimma Town, Southwest of Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

“…In addition, the present study showed that khat chewing has no significant association with CA (p=0.652). In an argument with our study findings, a study conducted in Yemen in 2016 found that the prevalence of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia was higher among khat chewers 39 . The possible difference is that majority of the participants in our study were women (who do not culturally encourage to chew khat than men).…”

Electrocardiogram Alteration and its Association with Khat Chewing: A study in Jimma Town, Ethiopia

“…The cardiovascular changes, induced by chewing khat, show evidence of a significant rise in arterial systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate with a peak effect of three hours after starting chewing khat. These changes run parallel with the changes in plasma Cathinone levels during and after khat chewing [4]. Regular chewing of Khat is associated with elevated mean diastolic blood pressure, which is consistent with the peripheral vasoconstrictor effect of Cathinone [6].…”

“…Khat or Catha edulis is an indigenous plant in Yemen, Ethiopia and East Africa, which has sympathomimetic and euphoriant effects [4]. The phenylpropylamine-type alkaloid cathinone is the major component responsible for the effects of khat on the heart and blood vessels.…”

Tea in the Morning and Khat Afternoon: Health Threats Due to Khat Chewing

“…A significant difference was also seen among the normal individuals; one patient (3.3%) developed VT's short runs on a khat-chewing day than non-VT on a khat-free day. Serious arrhythmias occur in cardiac and non-cardiac individuals during khat chewing days, although they are more prominent among cardiac patients [ 25 ]. However, further studies are needed regarding khat’s effects on cardiac rhythm.…”