Why Does Alcoholism Cause Heart Disease?

Taxing the Heart

It has been well-documented by researchers that drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure, contribute to high triglycerides (fats in the blood) and produce irregular heartbeats, all of which can lead to heart disease. This occurs because of the way in which large quantities of alcohol break down in the bloodstream and throughout the body. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol will cause the heart to work harder.

Blood Alcohol Concentration

Intoxication results from an increased blood-alcohol concentration in the bloodstream. The alcohol is detoxified and removed from the blood during a process called oxidation. But the higher the concentration levels, the longer the detoxification process takes. This has an abnormal impact on bodily function and activity. When alcohol is metabolized and broken down more slowly than it is absorbed, the metabolic process works harder to break down and remove alcohol from the blood. In extreme cases, drinking an excessive amount of alcohol can lead to coma or death. The more a person drinks, the more alcohol is absorbed directly into his stomach lining and broken down by enzymes. Some of it passes through the small intestine and enters the bloodstream. That alcohol-loaded blood circulates through many organs of the body, including the heart and the brain.

Constant Pumping

Excessive alcohol can destroy brain cells and lead to heart disease. One major disease that can arise from alcoholism is alcoholic cardiomyopathy. The heart is degenerated, enlarged or thickened, reducing its ability to pump blood throughout the body. Alcoholism can also cause heart-rhythm disturbances during and after heavy alcohol use. People who occasionally drink too much at parties will exhibit a rapid heart rate, but it usually returns to normal as long as there are no underlying problems. However, the constant pumping and rhythmic disturbances caused by regular excessive drinking will take their toll on the heart, which must continue to work harder each time. When rapid and abnormal alcohol-induced rhythm continues, heart disease develops, and the risk of a heart attack increases dramatically.

The Fat Factor

Alcoholism also contributes to an abnormal increase of abdominal fat, which causes the heart to work harder. Over a long period of time, that can lead to heart disease. Alcoholism causes a tremendous increase in calorie intake, which can result in obesity, another risk factor in heart disease. Some studies have shown that moderate drinking lowers the risk of heart disease. Many scientists believe that is associated with red wine, which contains antioxidants to reduce the heart-disease risk. Moderate drinking is often described as having one drink per day for women and two drinks for men. If you cannot keep it down to that many, then you may have a drinking problem and could put yourself at risk of heart disease.