Alcohol and Heart Health: Understanding the Risks & Benefits

According to Hopkins Hospital, moderate alcohol consumption lowers the risk of coronary heart disease by 20 to 40 percent. Moderate consumption is defined as 1 to 2 drinks per day. However, the American Heart Association does not promote alcohol use as a preventative for heart disease. According to Hopkins Hospital, once an individual begins consuming 3 or more alcoholic drinks per day, the risk for alcoholic cardiomyopathy, which is a weakening of the heart muscle, increases, and other heart related problems increases as well. Here are some of the negative effects of alcohol consumption on the heart.

Increases Triglycerides

• Triglycerides are fats that exist in the blood. Drinking too much alcohol can increase the amount of triglycerides in the blood, which can contribute to heart disease.

High Blood Pressure

• Drinking too much alcohol can lead to high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease.

Heart Failure

• Excessive alcohol consumption can cause alcoholic cardiomyopathy, which may eventually lead to heart failure.

Cardiac Arrhythmia

• Drinking excess alcohol may cause cardiac arrhythmia, which may cause a heart attack to occur.

Sudden Cardiac Death

• In rare cases, drinking an excessive amount of alcohol may cause sudden cardiac death.