Although light to moderate alcohol consumption may reduce some risk factors of heart disease, doctors do not recommend it. They know too many people already have drinking patterns that are associated with damage to cardiac health.
Stop Drinking to Lower Blood Pressure
Blood pressure and heart rate rise during intoxication. Arthur Klatsky in his American Heart Association article titled "Alcohol-Associated Hypertension," writes that "the repeated pressor effects of alcohol might ultimately lead to irreversible changes." The risks of developing high blood pressure for those who drink two or more servings of alcohol per day is double that of those who don't drink. Drinking on an empty stomach increases the risk even more. Continuing to drink while trying to lose weight or taking medications is ineffective and irrational. "Alcohol restriction may lower blood pressure more than exercise or salt restriction,” according to Klatsky.
Binge Drinking Can Lead to Cardiac Arrhythmia
Long-term chronic alcohol use can result in dangerous cardiac arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats, leading to sudden death from a heart attack or stroke. The death of conductive tissue cells in the heart is thought to cause this condition, probably as a result of potassium and magnesium imbalances. Survival depends on beta blockers, medications used to regulate the heart rate, rehydration with intravenous electrolyte solutions, and sedation.
Heart Failure Can be Caused by Heavy Drinking
The thinning of heart muscle caused by long-term heavy drinking is called alcoholic cardiomyopathy. In this condition, the heart muscle loses the strength to contract and pump blood efficiently to other parts of the body. Without enough force to support normal circulation, fluid is retained in body tissues, causing swelling in the lower limbs. The lungs also fill with fluid, causing labored breathing. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy may be reversed or halted if the patient stops drinking in time. If drinking continues, or if the disease is very far advanced, the prognosis for survival without a heart transplant is not good. Diuretic medications help to manage swelling, ACE inhibitor drugs reduce the workload on the heart, and the patient must adhere to strict dietary fluid and salt restrictions. Treatment is the same for congestive heart failure that is not caused by alcohol.
It may take years before the effects of excessive drinking become evident, but continuing to drink can harm health and shorten the lifespan. The toxic effects of alcohol on the heart are very serious. Alcoholics who stop drinking often experience withdrawal symptoms and need appropriate supervision.
Reference:
Arthur Klatsky, Alcohol-Associated Hypertension, American Heart Association, 2004
Mary Earhart - Mary Earhart, RN, BSN, is a Licensed Midwife. She has written articles for professional journals and grants for non-profit agencies as ...
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