Heart Health and Alcohol connection?

[Jack2019]

I was wondering why alcohol is a no no when you've had a heart issue. Is it about calories , interactions with the medications, heart rhythm? I am not sure the reasoning. I get smoking, exercise and diet advice but not why the restriction with moderate alcohol consumption. If you have insight on the biological reasoning I would be thankful to hear it. Thank you.

[Hidden]

I haven't been told not to drink alcohol? I had a HA 11 weeks ago and stopped smoking instantly and completely over hauled my diet. My cardiologist said drinking I'm moderation is fine

[Jack2019 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the reply!

[Hidden]

Alcohol is proven to have an effect on the heart and the cardiovascular system generally. Even a single drink elevates heart rate and blood pressure, albeit usually quite modestly, and more so the more you drink. Regular drinking over time (and not even particularly excessively) can also lead to weakened heart muscle and irregular rhythms. We know that alcohol causes variability in the time between heartbeats: for those prone to tachycardic conditions like AF and SVT, this can translate into an increase in the frequency of premature contractions, which can lead to increased episodes of arrhythmia. For those that have already had a heart attack, larger numbers of PVCs (premature contractions originating from the ventricles) have been associated with a worse outcome or repeat heart attacks. Alcohol is also a central nervous system depressant, and the CNS is what controls your heart rate and rhythm, so anything that effects that control has the potential to be detrimental. That’s all in addition to the possible interactions between alcohol and any medications you take. It may not always cause direct harm, but it can sometimes cause medications to be less effective and cause issues that way.

Although several years ago the idea emerged that drinking red wine is good for your heart, this has mostly been debunked now, as subsequent studies found the benefits are limited to certain groups (mostly women over 55), and even within that group, the benefits didn’t apply universally. It was also lost at levels above 5 units of alcohol a week, which is the equivalent of about 2 decent glasses of wine. Calories are also worth bearing in mind, as a pint of beer can contain around 200, particularly as it’s all sugar and carbs. A glass of red wine can be around 230 calories.

[Jack2019 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much! Great information you shared. I sure had no idea how much it affects the heart. I always thought it was more to do with the blood and brain and weight management.

[Hello-Grandad in reply to Hidden]

Excellent reply Charlie, very informative 👍🏼

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

I think it's lot about who you ask. The answer does seem to vary quite a lot. When I was discharged from heart hospital, along with a bag of medicines I was also given a number of leaflets to read - in one of them to subject of alcohol was mentioned - at the time the recommended weekly limit was 21 units (December 2018 - subsequently reduced 14 units in Jan or Feb 2019) and the leaflet said that alcohol within weekly limit was OK - I've just dug out that leaflet and I really didn't imagine it! , while one of the GPs in my surgery said the odd half should be OK!😟

Certainly alcohol may have an impact on the medicines we all take - pain killers and warfarin definitely don't mix with alcohol, and it does raise your heart rate and blood pressure.

I'd suggest you ask your GP, although who knows what they will say!

[Jack2019 in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd]

Thanks for the reply. I agree the answer depends on who you're talking to. I have had varying answers, from professionals, on the topic over the years; hence my inquiry of what other Hearties think about it. I have been "advised" to not indulge with any regularity. As a side note even the topic of caffeine intake seems like something to pay attention to, depending on who you're talking to.

[Chappychap]

On the Cardio Rehab course I attended one nurse gave us three guidelines.

1. Maximum 14 units of alcohol per week.

2. Don't binge this allowance.

3. At least two alcohol free days per week.

But the nurse who specialised in nutrition thought this was a bit on the high side. She didn't go as far as to recommend being tee total, but I got the sense beer in particular was considered too carb heavy, she called it "liquid toast"!

[Jack2019 in reply to Chappychap]

That's a good point. Getting different, valid, opinions based on the objective of the entity doing the counselling. Thanks for the reply.

[Scout2017]

Might also depend on your response to other drugs, like statins. I tolerate 80mg of Atorvostatin daily okay unless I drink, at which point my blood ALT goes up which is indicative of liver damage. So I'm down to about 3 units per week as a treat. Quite hard not to binge that so I bought a set of measures...!

[Joliv61]

Hi, I find that when I have a drink, be it a couple of cans of lager or a glass of red, my resting pulse goes up from low/mid 50s up 10 points to mid 60s and takes a couple of days to come back down again.I haven’t been told to keep off it altogether but was told to have several alcohol free days and keep below the limits.

[SmokeAKipper]

Interesting articles my cardiologist said once in a while ie say once a month… for life balance

[GracieOS]

Hiya, I was told by my Cardiologist that a modest class of wine a night was fine, but not to binge drink. Basically stick within the 14 unit guideline but spread it over the week not all on one night. However I was told to give up caffeine.

So I do have a regular modest class of red wine but I've largely given up caffeine, I sometimes have one cup of tea first thing in the morning and drink one decaf coffee a day. Otherwise its peppermint tea and other none caffeine drinks.

[Gm24]

Read up on a thing called Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy, if you like.

[StDogs]

Mixed Messages. My Heart Nurse told me one 125ml of Red Wine a day is OK. I don't actually drink that amount but do have a 125ml of Red about twice a week...

[Hidden]

For me and my angina, it makes it worse often when I drink alcohol. Non alcoholic drinks do not even tho they have a half percent of alcohol. I was also told alcohol in moderation if I can take it. I really cannot very often.

[MountainGoat52]

Mixed messages indeed! There are so many factors at work here.

I was told to have two alcohol free days a week and to keep well within the 14 units. I don't have any trouble with that as I have never drunk much since my mid 20s. I now regard alcohol as a treat, so only drink small quantities of good real ale, good red wine or malt whisky, often with a meal. The emphasis is on quality not quantity. 😀

[Thanksnhs]

Hi I Havn't had a heart attack I had cardiomyopathy and severe heart failure I was told by my cardiologist to stick to the national guidelines for alcohol, I had a transplant last year and I have been given the same advice char

[Pussacat]

I was advised to minimise or cut out alcohol completely whilst on the Bisoprolol. I have had 2 drinks since February's event as I am on quite a lot of meds and haven't missed it to be honest. I don't want another event or more stents so I am behaving myself and enjoying still being around. 😘

[pjw17]

If I may add to the thread, I've had HA and stent just over a year ago I did cut down on beer no longer have pints just bottles or alcohol free bottles. My GP told me you can drink within limits, my HF nurse said same. I only drink one night a week if that and it will be about 4 or 5 bottles.