Cardiovascular Benefits of Alcohol

Drinking in moderation can be good for your heart. Alcohol seems to benefit the cardiovascular system by raising your good cholesterol (HDL) and creating a mild anticoagulant effect. These benefits seem to be most potent when it comes to red wine. The French have been touted as having unusually low heart attack rates despite a diet that is rich in saturated fats. This "French Paradox" is believed to be due partially to the regular intake of red wine.

Studies have found high quantities of the compound resveratrol in red wine, grapes, berries and some nuts. This antioxidant is believed to account for many of the heart-healthy benefits attributed to red wine. Unfortunately the amount of food or wine one would have to consume to replicate the benefit on vascular health seen in animal studies, in which the compound is highly concentrated, is probably more than anyone could stomach.

In the Copenhagen City Heart Study, subjects who drank red wine had 50% less chance of dying from a heart attack. However, some later studies indicated that red wine isn't more beneficial than beer or liquor. This would imply that other antioxidants present in alcohol provide some protection against heart disease.

The American Heart Association recommends consuming 1 to 2 alcoholic drinks per day. The Association defines one serving of alcohol as 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor (80 proof). There is an issue when you consume more than the recommended amount. At excessive levels, alcohol can be toxic to the heart and lead to heart failure in severe cases. High doses of alcohol also can raise lipid levels and blood pressure and damage the liver. In my own practice it is common to see patients during the winter season with the so called "holiday heart." After office parties or on New Year's Day, patients will present with atrial fibrillation brought on by ingesting large quantities of alcohol. In many cases alcoholics will develop heart failure due to the long term effects of rapid atrial fibrillation combined with the direct toxicity of alcohol to the heart muscle.

Once the heart dilates it may be too late to reverse the damage. If detected early, the withdrawal of alcohol and aggressive medical therapy may stop further damage. The guidelines recommended by the American Heart Association stress that the benefits of alcohol are only seen with moderate levels of consumption.