More on KentOnline
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A young Maidstone man who went to hospital complaining of a headache died soon after, after doctors discovered bacteria in his heart and a bleed on his brain.
The family of Nathan Smith asked medical staff if they could do anything to let the 35-year-old "go", in order to prevent his prolonged suffering, an inquest heard.
He died at Maidstone Hospital on September 11,
An inquest at Archbishop's Palace today heard Mr Smith had a long history of substance abuse, particularly cocaine, and had attended rehabilitation courses.
Based on this, and evidence from a doctor, coroner Geoffrey Smith concluded his death was "drug related."
Nathan Smith arrived at Maidstone Hospital complaining of neck stiffness and a headache.
However, on further examination doctors found he had a very high temperature, a low heart murmur, a number of haemorrhages and a growth of bacteria on a heart valve. He was transferred to the critical care unit.
By September 5 he was unable to move his right side, suffered seizures and had an aneurysm.
The inquest heard that despite Mr Smith's life threatening condition, surgery on his aneurysm was not possible.
The coroner said: "It is sad when anyone dies but for someone who was so young it's distressing to say the least."
A post-mortem found the cause of death was a bleed inside the skull, coupled with an infection in the heart and intravenous drug use.
