Excessive Alcohol Use Linked to Heart Conditions
12/8/2022
Winter holidays, parties and social gatherings often provide opportunities to overindulge, but when it comes to alcohol, moderation is important for maintaining good heart health. “Holiday heart syndrome,” or atrial fibrillation (AFib) brought on by binge drinking, can occur in healthy adults without any existing heart conditions and is commonly diagnosed around the holidays.
AFib is an irregular and sometimes rapid heart rhythm that if left untreated can lead to blood clots or strokes. Symptoms of AFib include a racing heartbeat which can feel like a flutter or quiver, dizziness, shortness of breath and chest pain. Luckily, holiday heart syndrome is reversible, but if heavy drinking persists, the risk of developing conditions like heart disease and heart failure increases.
Regular heavy drinking, more than eight drinks per week for women and 15 for men, and binge drinking can lead to ongoing high blood pressure, increased irregular heart rate and weakened heart muscles. According to the American College of Cardiology, eliminating alcohol abuse would result in over 34,000 fewer heart attacks, 73,000 fewer atrial fibrillation cases and 91,000 fewer patients with congestive heart failure.
“Drinking too much puts excess strain on your heart and can cause long-term cardiovascular conditions while also increasing your risk of developing some cancers as well as obesity,” says Dr. Cory Fernandes, a family medicine specialist with Primary Care Associates of Laredo. “Bottom line, if you choose to drink, please practice moderation.”
According to the CDC, moderate drinking is defined as having one drink or less per day by women and two drinks or less per day by men. They define a drink as 12 ounces of beer, eight ounces of malt liquor, five ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of a spirit. Excessive drinking is defined as binge drinking four or more drinks during a single occasion for women, and five or more drinks for men. Heavy drinking is defined as having eight or more drinks per week in women or 15 or more drinks per week in men.
To cut down on drinking, consider removing alcohol from your home, picking a few days a week to abstain and always drink slowly. Stores and restaurants now offer many alcohol-free alternatives like non-alcoholic beer, wine and liquor. At holiday gatherings, try sipping on a festive mocktail, sparkling cider or your favorite zero proof drink. If efforts to cut back don’t work, it may be time to speak with a healthcare professional.
“Drinking in moderation and speaking with a healthcare professional when needed are important for good heart health,” says Dr. Fernandes.
To find a primary care physician or to book an appointment, contact Primary Care Associates of Laredo at http://bit.ly/3XYoI6j.
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