Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Lorna Benson
St. Paul, Minn.

Study: Khat use increases risk of stroke and death in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Mayo Clinic researchers say khat use has been linked to significantly higher rates of death among people who experience an acute, chest pain episode due to coronary artery disease.

Khat is a shrub that's native to East Africa, including Somalia. The plants leaves are chewed for their amphetamine-like high. Khat is illegal in the U.S., but law enforcement in the Twin Cities region periodically seize smuggled shipments of the drug.

The Mayo Clinic study examined the medical records of more than 8,000 patients in the Middle East. About 1,000 of them were khat users. The analysis showed that chewers were more likely to die after a cardiac episode or develop a stroke or other serious complication than non-khat chewers.

Mayo researchers don't know if the elevated heart risks are related to the chemicals in khat or if they are due to impaired patients delaying their care.

The findings are published in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings.