Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to several heart-related issues, most notably alcoholic cardiomyopathy, high blood pressure (hypertension), arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), ischemic heart disease, and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Key Heart-Related Issues from Excessive Alcohol Use
- Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy: Long-term heavy drinking weakens and dilates the heart muscle, reducing its ability to pump blood effectively. This condition is also known as alcoholic dilated cardiomyopathy and can lead to heart failure.
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Excessive alcohol intake raises both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, increasing cardiovascular strain and risk.
- Arrhythmias: Heavy or binge drinking can cause irregular heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation, sometimes referred to as "holiday heart syndrome," which disrupts the coordination of heartbeats.
- Ischemic Heart Disease and Myocardial Infarction: Chronic heavy drinking raises the risk of diseases caused by narrowed arteries leading to heart attacks.
- Stroke Risk: Elevated by heavy and binge drinking due to a combination of high blood pressure, arrhythmias, and weakened heart muscle.
Thus, excessive alcohol consumption primarily leads to alcoholic cardiomyopathy, hypertension, arrhythmias, and increased risks of heart attack and stroke, all serious cardiovascular conditions. Reducing alcohol intake lowers these risks and can improve heart health.
