Published:
February 15, 2022
You’ve heard that moderate drinking may be good for your heart. You’ve also heard for some people, drinking alcohol can be harmful to their hearts and lead to other health problems. So how should you approach drinking? Let’s take a look at the dangers and potential benefits of drinking alcohol, along with some recommendations to help you make informed decisions about alcohol use.
Does Drinking Alcohol Help Your Heart?
You may have seen headlines about studies linking light or moderate drinking with health benefits. Some researchers have suggested there are health benefits from wine, especially red wine, and that a glass a day can be good for the heart. Some research indicates that moderate alcohol consumption (one drink per day for women and two per day for men) may offer some health benefits:
- Reduces your risk of heart disease by raising levels of “good” cholesterol and helping to prevent artery damage caused by high “bad” cholesterol.
- Reduces your risk of dying of a heart attack.
- Possibly reduces your risk of stroke and diabetes.
- Lowers your blood pressure.
The Dangers of Alcohol
Heavy alcohol use has absolutely no health benefits. It can lead to serious health problems, including alcoholism, certain cancers, sudden death if you already have cardiovascular disease, heart muscle damage, stroke, high blood pressure, cirrhosis of the liver, and fetal alcohol syndrome in an unborn child. Accidents, suicide, and homicides are also attributed to heavy alcohol use. Even moderate alcohol use isn’t risk-free. Avoid alcohol if:
- You take medications that can interact with alcohol.
- You’ve had a previous hemorrhagic stroke, heart failure, liver, or pancreatic disease.
- You’re an alcoholic or have abused alcohol, such as engaging in binge drinking.
- You’re pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
- You’re going to drive.
Recommendations on Drinking Alcohol
Alcohol and its relationship to heart disease, both good and bad, is a complex subject, and there is much we don’t know. The best advice is, if you drink, do so in moderation. If you don’t drink, don’t start if you’re doing so only because you think it will help your heart.
Keep in mind that many of the benefits attributed to moderate drinking can be obtained by safer means, including diet and exercise. So as part of your regular medical care, talk to your doctor about alcohol use.