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Alcohol and heart failure
1University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing, Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing 60612, USA.
Insights
Light alcohol consumption may be safe for heart failure (HF) patients with ischemic left ventricular dysfunction (LVD). However, evidence does not support benefits for those with nonischemic LVD. Clinicians should prioritize evidence-based HF therapies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
- Toxicology
Background:
- Current heart failure (HF) guidelines recommend limiting alcohol in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction.
- Limited existing knowledge on the specific relationship between alcohol consumption and HF outcomes.
- Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a recognized cause of heart muscle disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing evidence on the acute and long-term effects of alcohol consumption in patients with heart failure.
- To provide a comprehensive overview of alcohol and alcoholic beverages relevant to HF literature interpretation.
- To aid clinicians in discussing alcohol use with patients diagnosed with heart failure.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of studies investigating alcohol intake and heart failure.
- Analysis of general aspects of alcohol and alcoholic beverages.
- Synthesis of evidence regarding different types of left ventricular dysfunction (ischemic vs. nonischemic).
Main Results:
- Emerging evidence suggests light drinking (1-14 drinks/week) may be safe and potentially beneficial for HF patients with ischemic left ventricular dysfunction (LVD).
- No significant effects of light drinking were observed in HF patients with nonischemic LVD.
- Alcohol's impact varies depending on the underlying cause and type of left ventricular dysfunction.
Conclusions:
- Light alcohol consumption may have a neutral to beneficial effect in specific HF populations (ischemic LVD).
- Further research is needed to clarify the role of alcohol in nonischemic LVD and HF.
- Clinicians must emphasize evidence-based pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies for all HF patients, regardless of alcohol consumption.
Background:
Current heart failure (HF) guidelines note that alcohol use should be discouraged or restricted in patients with HF resulting from left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Existing knowledge is limited in the area of HF and alcohol.
Methods And Results:
The purpose of this article is to review the evidence regarding the acute and long-term use of alcohol in the setting of HF. In addition, general aspects about alcohol and alcoholic beverages that are important for understanding and interpreting alcohol-related literature are reviewed and that can be used when discussing alcoholic beverage use with patients with HF.
Conclusions:
There is some emerging evidence that suggests light drinking (1 to 14 drinks per week) is safe and even beneficial in HF patients with ischemic left ventricular dysfunction (LVD). However, there are no effects of light drinking in HF patients with nonischemic LVD. Clinicians should reinforce the importance of evidence based pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies in HF.