Why is too much alcohol bad for heart health?
We believe in having fun, but we also do not promote excessive drinking. Alcohol should always be consumed in moderation because too much drinking can have negative health consequences.
We explore the link between drinking and heart health.
Reasons Why Too Much Alcohol Is Bad for the Heart
- Alcohol Increases Blood Pressure
One of the biggest factors that cause stroke and heart attack is high blood pressure. Drinking excessive alcohol can increase your blood pressure and put you at risk for these complications.
However, the increase in blood pressure caused by alcohol typically reverses itself after two hours of consumption. But, for excessive drinkers, it will take more time before blood pressure goes back to normal.
- Alcohol Weakens the Heart Muscles
Excessive alcohol consumption can cause you to develop a disease called alcoholic cardiomyopathy. This is a heart disease that thins and weakens the heart muscles and therefore affects its ability to pump blood to your system.
- Creates Irregular Heartbeat
Another reason why too much alcohol is bad is that it can lead you to develop an alcohol-induced arrhythmia. This is a type of acute cardiac rhythm or, in simpler terms, irregular heartbeat. People who experience this disease often feel breathless similar to when a person is experiencing a heart attack.
- Can Cause Obesity
Several studies have shown that there is a high relationship between excessive alcohol consumption and obesity. This is because alcohol contains a high level of calories that contributes to weight gain.
For men, moderate drinking is characterized as consuming 1 or 2 glasses of alcoholic beverage per day. Meanwhile, for women, the daily recommended consumption is only up to 1 glass. If you have a history of heart disease, experts suggest not to drink anything alcoholic at all.
Final Word
It is perfectly fine to have a bottle of beer or a glass of wine from time to time. However, it is a different story when your daily consumption of alcohol is to the point where you get heavily intoxicated.
If this is your case, you might want to take a step back and reassess your relationship with alcohol. This puts you at great risk for heart disease and other physical issues. Plus, it will have a significant effect on the overall quality of your life.
But when you do decide to enjoy a few drinks, try Rallymate to avoid a rough morning.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.