{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,10]],"date-time":"2026-10-10T18:00:57Z","timestamp":1791655257596,"version":"4.3.4"},"reference-count":25,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"4","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,9]],"date-time":"2025-02-09T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1739059200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["JCM"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Khat, derived from the Catha edulis plant, is widely consumed in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, where it holds significant socio-cultural importance. This review examines the multifaceted effects of khat, particularly focusing on its cardiovascular implications. Khat\u2019s active constituents, notably cathinone and cathine, exhibit stimulant and psychoactive properties akin to amphetamines, leading to heightened alertness and euphoria. However, chronic consumption is associated with adverse effects, including cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, myocardial infarction, and cardiomyopathy. The review highlights the pharmacokinetics of khat, with cathinone being rapidly absorbed and leading to sympathomimetic effects. Studies indicate a correlation between chronic khat use and increased risks of hypertension, acute coronary syndromes, and cardiomyopathy. These cardiovascular conditions are exacerbated by prolonged hemodynamic stress, catecholamine release, and oxidative stress induced by khat\u2019s active compounds. Additionally, khat\u2019s impact extends beyond the cardiovascular system, affecting neurological, reproductive, and gastrointestinal health. Despite its legality in certain regions, khat is classified as a controlled substance in many countries, emphasizing the need for global awareness of its health risks. This review calls for longitudinal studies to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms of khat-induced cardiomyopathy and to identify potential biomarkers for its early detection. Furthermore, it advocates for culturally sensitive public health initiatives and clinical guidelines to mitigate the adverse health effects of khat consumption, especially among immigrant populations in developed nations. Recognizing and addressing khat\u2019s cardiovascular implications is crucial for improving patient outcomes and guiding effective clinical practice.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm14041100","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,10]],"date-time":"2025-02-10T03:39:47Z","timestamp":1739158787000},"page":"1100","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":10,"title":["Understanding the Intricacies of Khat-Associated Cardiovascular Disease"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"14","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0006-0920-9152","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Azka","family":"Naeem","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Internal Medicine, Maimonides Medical Centre, Brooklyn, NY 11219, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Divya","family":"Situt","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Medicine, St. George\u2019s University Grenada, True Blue, West Indies, Grenada"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Vijay","family":"Shetty","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Internal Medicine, Maimonides Medical Centre, Brooklyn, NY 11219, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jacob","family":"Shani","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Cardiology, Maimonides Medical Centre, Brooklyn, NY 11219, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4691-0689","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Emmanuel U.","family":"Emeasoba","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Cardiology, Maimonides Medical Centre, Brooklyn, NY 11219, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,9]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"408","DOI":"10.3109\/09687637.2010.504200","article-title":"\u201cBundle of fun\u201d or \u201cbunch of problems\u201d? 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