Alcohol & Heart Disease
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), coronary heart disease claims as many as 864,480 Americans' lives every year. Though heart disease can be caused by a variety of sources, alcohol is one of the largest contributing factors.
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Features
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Heart disease is a broad term that encompasses many types of cardiovascular problems that can occur in the heart and blood vessels, including narrow or blocked blood vessels, weakened valves or vessel walls, and irregular heartbeats.
Considerations
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Alcohol in small amounts can be healthy for the heart. According to the Mayo Clinic, less than two drinks a day may help boost HDL cholesterol levels and prevent plaque buildup.
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Blood Pressure
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One of the main ways that alcohol contributes to heart disease is by raising your blood pressure, which exerts more force on artery walls, making them less able to transport oxygen to the heart.
Calories
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Drinking, especially binge drinking, can cause an excessive intake of calories, eventually leading to obesity. According to the AHA, obesity is a substantial factor in developing heart disease.
Results
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Alcohol-related heart disease can eventually lead to angina, heart attacks, heart failure, stroke and death.
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References
- Photo Credit Courtesy of Patrick J. Lynch, medical illustrator, Creative Commons, flickr.com
