Heart

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death throughout Europe, accounting for approximately 30% of all deaths in Europe. Regular moderate alcohol consumption may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke mainly in men aged over 40 years and in postmenopausal women, when the risk factors for coronary heart disease and stroke significantly increase.

Drinking alcohol is not recommended if you have uncontrolled, high blood pressure. If someone has an existing heart condition, alcohol can generally be drunk  in moderation, but only if alcohol use does not  affect  the medication. A doctor’s advice should be sought.

Drinking to excess or binge drinking puts considerable strain on the heart and increases your risk of heart attack, haemorrhagic stroke and irregular heart beat.

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It is thought that alcohol itself accounts for 75% of the cardio-protective effects of alcoholic beverages. It favourably alters the balance of fats or lipids in the blood, by stimulating the liver to produce the ‘good’ high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL). HDL removes the ‘bad’ low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) from arteries and veins for disposal via the bile, which is referred to as reverse cholesterol transport.

Alcohol decreases the clotting together or ‘stickiness’ of red blood cells, which if untreated could form a clot to block blood flow in an artery or vein to cause a heart attack or stroke.

Recent research suggests that one to two drinks per day for men and one for women does not exacerbate a heart condition. Exceeding this benchmark can significantly increase blood pressure, which would, therefore, exacerbate a heart condition.