Yes, red wine contains resveratrol, an antioxidant that reduces oxidative stress in lab mice. But you’d need to down gallons to match the doses used in those petri dishes. Meanwhile, ethanol raises blood pressure and can stiffen arteries over time. In 2024, a sweeping review in European Heart Journal spanning 1.1 million participants found no safe lower threshold for alcohol’s impact on atrial fibrillation. Any cardio benefit from polyphenols is offset—or overshadowed—by ethanol’s strain on vessels.
What’s a standard drink?
- The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that people avoid drinking when possible.
- Binge drinking — four or more drinks for women and five or more for men in about 2 hours — can cause irregular heart rhythms called arrhythmias.
- But it’s important to make sure those nights of overindulgence are the exception and not the rule.
- Historically, some studies suggested that when people drank alcohol moderately, they experienced protective cardiovascular benefits.
As such, evidence instead suggests that drinking alcohol in any amount can be harmful. One of the most important things your heart does is keep a rhythm. On average, a regular heart rate is about 60 to 100 beats per minute when your body is at rest. But alcohol can lead to your heart rate temporarily jumping up in speed, and if it goes over 100 beats per minute, it can cause a condition called tachycardia.
It is best for people with heart conditions to avoid alcohol or, at the very least, reduce their consumption if they drink excessively. Historically, some studies suggested that when people drank alcohol moderately, they experienced protective cardiovascular benefits. However, researchers now argue that scientists misinterpreted these perceived benefits. Adrenaline has a significant effect on the cardiovascular system in that it causes arterioles to constrict and tighten. Arterioles are small blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.
Alcohol and heart conditions
Surprisingly, the rats receiving estrogen replacement along with alcohol showed several negative changes in heart function, despite estrogen’s known cardioprotective effects. “For most people, there is no problem with the occasional alcoholic drink or two,” says Dr. Aragam. He points out that most people don’t drink every day or on a consistent weekly basis, so even self-described moderate drinkers probably drink much less than the individuals in studies. Alcohol can make some medicines less effective or cause side effects like drowsiness. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you take medicines for diabetes or to prevent blood clots (anticoagulants), like warfarin, as drinking alcohol can affect the way these drugs work. In hospital, you will be given medicines to control your blood pressure.
Latest news
Alda-1 appears to prevent the activation of JNK2 that leads to AFib. “Still, you should probably weigh your alcohol intake with your overall heart health,” says facts about alcohol and heart health Dr. Aragam. It’s best to speak with your doctor about what the proper amount of alcohol should be for you.
A compound found in red wine called resveratrol has been shown to have antioxidant properties that might protect the heart and blood vessels from damage. In fact, some health experts argue that a glass of red wine a day could offer some cardiovascular benefits. Binge drinking, defined as drinking large quantities of alcohol in a short period, can have immediate negative effects on the heart. It’s essential to recognize the dangers of binge drinking, particularly in younger adults, who may not be fully aware of the long-term health implications.
Consider the story of Jane, a 45-year-old woman who enjoyed a glass of wine with dinner every night. Initially, Jane believed that the antioxidants in wine helped protect her heart, but after several years, she began to notice symptoms of high blood pressure. Her doctor advised her to cut back on alcohol consumption, and with time, her blood pressure improved. Jane’s experience underscores the importance of monitoring alcohol intake and recognizing when it might be negatively affecting your health.
Many people feel low in mood after they have surgery, especially open-heart surgery. If you have cardiomyopathy caused by alcohol (where the heart muscle is damaged and cannot work as well as it used to), in some cases reducing your intake can improve and even reverse your condition. Binge drinking (drinking a large amount of alcohol in one go) can also have a serious impact on your health. If you do drink as much as 14 units per week, it’s best to spread this evenly over 3 days or more.
- “For most people, there is no problem with the occasional alcoholic drink or two,” says Dr. Aragam.
- Weekend warriors often justify heavy Friday sessions with Saturday spin classes.
- Another case involves Michael, a 50-year-old man who was diagnosed with heart disease after years of heavy drinking.
- So even if you don’t have any alcohol during the week, you shouldn’t save all of your drinking for the weekend and overdo it.
- However, no level of regular alcohol intake improves health, and it’s not a good idea to drink wine to protect your heart.
How does alcohol affect the heart and blood pressure?
When the researchers set aside the impact of lifestyle habits and looked only at the link between alcohol intake and cardiovascular risk, they found a minimal increase in risk among light drinkers. However, the risk steadily climbed once the weekly amounts reached seven drinks. “The more people drank per week, the greater the risk,” says Dr. Aragam. Holiday heart syndrome can happen if you don’t typically drink alcohol, but then have a few at a holiday party or if you binge drink. This can cause you to develop an irregular heartbeat, called atrial fibrillation, which can increase your risk of stroke, heart attack and heart failure.
Who Shouldn’t Drink?
But it’s important to make sure those nights of overindulgence are the exception and not the rule. If you’re not sure, make a note to tune into how much you’re having over the course of the next month or so. If it’s more than recommended, try to consciously pace your drinking to help reduce the spike in your blood pressure that excessive alcohol causes.
Dr. Cho also warns that if you have liver dysfunction or take other medicines that are processed through the liver, your risks might be different. Talk to your healthcare provider about how alcohol might interact with your prescription medicines. In many ways, your medical history (and present) can tell you a lot about your future with alcohol.
However, Dr. Cho points out that more recent data shows that there may be no amount of alcohol that is truly safe. “The myth that wine is beneficial for heart health is no longer true,” she states. Researchers looked at 371,463 adults who consumed an average of nine standard alcoholic drinks per week (see image). Weekly intake of one to eight drinks was deemed light; 8.5 to 15 drinks, moderate; and 15.5 to 24.5, heavy. The last thing you want is for that casual drink after work or glass of wine at dinner to negatively impact your heart health.
Are non-alcoholic drinks healthy?
If you’re counting units for heart health, clarity beats craft‑cocktail romance. This means drinking very large amounts all at once can slow your heart rate and breathing to a dangerously low level. After a person undergoes heart surgery, it is best to ask the doctor how much they should drink, as this could depend on individual circumstances and medical history. Signs you’re drinking too much can include memory loss, embarrassment and injury, craving alcohol and if the people around you are concerned by how much you drink. You may want to avoid alcohol while you’re recovering emotionally too.
Managing Atrial Fibrillation will explain what atrial fibrillation is, how to know if you have it, its causes, and the treatments available. Afib can be a complex health condition, so the more you know about it, the better you will be able to work with your doctor. If afib is monitored and treated correctly, you can minimize its symptoms and help to prevent serious complications like stroke and heart damage. And if you have a history of high blood pressure, it’s best to avoid alcohol completely or drink only occasionally, and in moderation. It is important to note that there is no causal link to suggest that drinking, even moderately, contributes to better heart health. In 2025, cardiology journals read very differently from the glossy ads, and the chasm between myth and fact is broad enough to sail a cruise ship through.
