- Reading this report, it again highlights what we know about the increased risk of stroke when people take IV drug use. But I think that this really underscores the association between IV drug use and endocarditis in some individuals, and therefore subsequent stroke. So it's a nice review of the possible links, and what doctors should look for when people come in with those symptoms. Certainly, further research is needed because in the end of the article they discuss that this was one center, et cetera, but I think based on peoples' experience and what we know about endocarditis and the risk of stroke, that IV drug use would certainly be a risk factor for that.