The Effects Of Alcohol On The Heart
Currently, there is some confusion surrounding the effects of alcohol on the heart. There is information to suggest that drinking wine or beer in moderation contributes to cardiovascular health. However, there are studies that certify the harmful effects of this type of drink on the heart.
Actually l os effects of alcohol on the heart are varied and depend on the health status of each person, quantities and frequencies with which ingested, as well as the type of liquor consumed.
In any case, there is something that is not in dispute: the effects of alcohol on the heart and other organs can be very negative, and even devastating, when consumed in large volumes. Likewise, it is a psychoactive that can cause dependency and significantly deteriorate the quality of life.
Myths and truths about the effects of alcohol on the heart
There is evidence that the effects of moderate alcohol consumption on the heart can be positive.
Wine, for example, is high in antioxidants (flavonoids, tannins, anthocyanins, and resveratrol). These substances help prevent the formation of plaque in the arteries (arteriosclerosis). In the same way, they favor the production of “good cholesterol”. This is confirmed by research such as the one published in 2019 in the magazine Molecules .
That is why there are those who believe that drinking a glass of wine a day could have positive effects on our health. However, a study published in 2007 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology points out that while these positive effects are real, it is also true that alcohol consumption, even moderately, increases the risk of causing an irregular heartbeat.
Another study published in 2016 in the same journal, advanced by Professor Peter Kistler, from the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute and the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne (Australia), points out the same. It indicates that while moderate consumption of alcohol can help keep the body’s “pipes” clear, it can affect the electrical parts of the heart instead .
Effects of alcohol on the heart: drinking moderately and drinking too much
Much is said about the importance of drinking alcohol in moderation and yet it is not very clear what is moderate and what is excessive. Facing this point, the first thing to consider is the health status of each person. A diabetic or hypertensive person, for example, should avoid alcohol, even in moderate amounts.
On the other hand, the frequency also plays a role. It is much more harmful to drink alcohol in large quantities, even if this is done only very occasionally.
In the Dietary Guidelines of the United States Department of Health it is stated that a moderate consumption is maximum one drink a day for women and two for men. However, a good number of experts point out that it is best not to drink daily, but to avoid alcohol two or three days a week.
Atrial fibrillation
One of the risks of alcohol consumption, even in moderate amounts, is the fact that this substance contributes to an irregular heartbeat, as we already noted. Alcohol can damage cells and cause fibrous tissue to form in the heart.
Likewise, alcohol can alter the way the heart cells contract and, over time, lead to an irregular heartbeat. In the same way, it affects the autonomic nervous system, which controls, among other aspects, the rhythm of the heartbeat.
This condition, called atrial fibrillation, increases the risk of serious problems such as heart failure or stroke. It appears in some of those who drink moderately, frequently, and in 60% of people after excessive intake.
Other effects
In some people, drinking too much alcohol can weaken the heart muscle and lead to a condition called dilated cardiomyopathy. In this, the heart dilates and its pumping force decreases, causing symptoms of heart failure.
Alcohol also contributes to obesity and obesity increases the risk of heart problems. Likewise, frequent and excessive alcohol consumption increases the chances of suffering from hypertension by two. The combination of alcohol and psychotropic drugs can be fatal.
