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Detrimental Effects of Alcohol on the Heart: Hypertension and Cardiomyopathy

Vincent M Figueredo1, Akash Patel1

  • 1Department of Cardiology, St Mary Medical Center, Langhorne, PA 19047, USA.

Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine
|July 30, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of heart disease, hypertension, and stroke. Moderate drinking may not be beneficial for cardiovascular health, challenging previous J-shaped curve theories.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Epidemiological studies suggest a J-shaped curve for alcohol consumption and cardiovascular mortality.
  • This association indicates higher risks for abstainers and heavy drinkers compared to moderate consumers.
  • Recent research challenges the J-shaped hypothesis, with factors like ethnicity, gender, and drinking patterns influencing alcohol's cardiac effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the impact of alcohol consumption on cardiovascular health.
  • To discuss the relationship between alcohol abuse and hypertension.
  • To explore the link between excessive alcohol intake and alcoholic cardiomyopathy.

Main Methods:

  • A literature review was conducted.
  • PubMed was utilized as the primary database for relevant studies.

Main Results:

  • Heavy alcohol consumption is linked to resistant hypertension, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, and hemorrhagic strokes.
  • Excessive drinking is a significant, preventable cause of death globally.
  • Alcohol abuse contributes to hepatic cirrhosis and pancreatitis.

Conclusions:

  • Alcohol abuse significantly impacts hypertension, a major risk factor for myocardial infarction and stroke.
  • The review discusses alcoholic cardiomyopathy and its connection to heavy drinking.
  • Related research addresses alcohol's role in arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.
Abstract

Keywords:
alcohol abusealcoholiccardiomyopathyheart failurehypertension

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