Intense parties at 20 increase the risk of heart problems later in life, research suggests

The ‘live fast, die young’ lifestyle has had a tragic impact on stars like Amy Winehouse, Jimi Hendrix and Marilyn Monroe.

They died in their 20s and 30s after drug and alcohol abuse.

Now, a large study of more than a million people has fired another warning shot about the dangers of intense parties.

It shows that young adults are up to nine times more likely to develop premature heart disease if they take drugs, smoke and drink regularly.

A large study of more than a million people fired another warning shot about the dangers of intense parties. Image: Stock

Experts looked at 1.1 million people in the United States, comparing their intake of alcohol, drugs and cigarettes with the rates of heart attacks and strokes.

They found that the greater the number of substances used recreationally, the greater the risk of premature heart disease.

The connection was even more pronounced among women. A total of 143,319 people had the disease – when a heart attack, angina or stroke occurs before age 55 in men or 65 in women.

For those who regularly used four or more substances, the risk was nine times greater. The study found that cocaine users were almost two and a half times more likely to have premature heart disease, while amphetamine users were almost three times more likely.

The “live fast, die young” lifestyle has had a tragic impact on stars like Amy Winehouse (photo), Jimi Hendrix and Marilyn Monroe

The value for cannabis and other drugs was more than two and a half times. Smokers were almost twice as likely to suffer from premature heart disease, while the number of drinkers was 50%.

The lead author, Dr. Anthony Wayne Orr, of Louisiana State University, USA, said: ‘We are young only once and we must do everything in our power to maintain that state as long as we can.

“Studies suggest that one in five young adults misuses various substances and that these polysubstance users often start using at younger ages and therefore have worse health in the long run.

“These people need to be aware of the long-term consequences for their health, in addition to the risk of an overdose.”

Heart disease affects 7.6 million people in the UK and causes more than one in four deaths.

Singer Miss Winehouse died at the age of 27 from alcohol poisoning in 2011.

American guitar legend Hendrix, also 27, died after a binge in 1970, while American actress Miss Monroe, 36, was killed by a barbiturate overdose in 1962.

The research was published in the journal Heart.