Alcohol & Coronary Heart Disease
Most doctors discourage their patients from using alcohol. Excessive drinking can cause social and physical problems, including medical conditions that can lead to coronary heart disease. But lately research by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism in 20 countries indicates that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol lowers coronary heart disease rates by up to 40 percent. You should ask your doctor about the benefits and risks of alcohol use and heart disease.
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Positive Effects of Alcohol
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Studies in 20 countries indicate that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol lowers your risk for coronary heart disease, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The American Heart Association says the best-known positive effect of alcohol is an increase in HDL cholesterol, known as good cholesterol. Alcohol can keep blood platelets from sticking together, which lowers your risk of heart attack or stroke from blood clots.
Negative Effects of Alcohol
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According to the American Heart Association, drinking too much alcohol causes obesity, high triglycerides and high blood pressure, which can lead to coronary heart disease. It can increase your risk of stroke, accidents, breast cancer and diabetes. Men should have at most two 12-ounce beers, 4-ounce glasses of wine or 1-ounce glasses of 100-proof liquor a day. Women should have only one drink per day. If you drink more than the recommended amount, alcoholism and its effects may cause problems, and the health benefits of drinking moderate amounts of alcohol are no longer a factor.
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Significance
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While drinking too much alcohol can lead to cardiac arrhythmia, interactions between alcohol and medication, cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac death, NIAAA studies indicate that moderate drinkers are less likely to die of coronary heart disease than those who don't drink at all. But if you don't drink alcohol, you shouldn't begin drinking for heart health benefits, as the risks of negative effects can outweigh the positive effects.
Types
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The American Heart Association says that red wine containing antioxidants and flavonoids is your best alcohol choice for reducing heart disease. Dark beer also contains antioxidants. But all alcohol used moderately seems to lower the risk of death from coronary heart disease.
Warning
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If you are alcoholic, have a family history of alcoholism or take aspirin or other medication that interacts with alcohol, you shouldn't drink. If you have blood disorders, high triglycerides, pancreatitis liver disease, high blood pressure or congestive heart failure, you shouldn't drink any alcohol. If you are pregnant, drinking risks your health and the health of your unborn child.
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