Increase text size: A A A

Type in the condition you need,
or visit Advanced Search

Print this page

Email this to a friend

Save to my Health Library

Heart Health Special Report

Alcohol and Heart Attacks -- Does a Drink a Day Lower Your Risk?

Consuming one or two alcoholic drinks a day is associated with a reduced heart attack risk. Alcohol may lower the chance of a heart attack through many mechanisms. Most important is its effects on HDL (or “good”) cholesterol. Moderate drinking increases HDL by about 12%.

Alcohol also may protect against heart attacks by inhibiting constriction of the coronary arteries, limiting clot formation, and decreasing levels of homocysteine—an amino acid linked to increased heart-attack risk. Some evidence has also linked moderate intake of alcohol to a lower rate of obesity.

Researchers are unlikely to ever conduct a clinical trial in which people would be randomly assigned either to drink alcohol or to abstain. In the absence of such trials, however, there is no way to be entirely certain whether the effects of alcohol are due to the drink itself or to other factors that may be common in moderate drinkers.

How Often to Drink Alcohol—and What to Drink
A number of recent studies have attempted to tease out some of the details of how moderate alcohol intake helps prevent heart attacks—including the pattern in which people drink and what they drink.

A recent report from the March 2004 issue of Addiction compared 427 men who had suffered a recent nonfatal heart attack with 905 similar men who had never had a heart attack. Men who drank alcohol daily in the previous two years were 59% less likely to have a heart attack than life-long abstainers.

People who drank alcohol somewhat less frequently—even those who drank less than once a week—also had a decreased risk of heart attacks. But men who consumed alcohol only on weekends (and who were often binge drinkers) elevated their risk of a heart attack compared with daily or less-than-once-weekly drinkers. Although this study also found that alcohol was only beneficial when consumed with meals, other studies have not demonstrated such a link.

Some experts have suggested that the reduced rate of heart attacks associated with alcohol consumption is offset by increases in death from other causes. But according to another article in the same issue of Addiction, middle-aged men who drank about two drinks a day were still 50% less likely to die of any cause over 10 years compared with those who drank once per week or less. Women who drank alcohol about one to six drinks per week (spread out across the week) were 28% less likely to die of any cause than those who drank alcohol less frequently.

Some, but not all, research has indicated that red wine is modestly better for the heart than other alcoholic beverages. This line of thinking began when investigators discovered that the French have a lower rate of heart attacks than Americans despite the fact that both countries consume similar amounts of animal fat—a phenomenon known as the “French paradox.” Some experts have suggested that red wine, which is favored by the French, is the factor that lowers their heart-attack risk, but many subsequent studies, including a 2003 report in The New England Journal of Medicine, have found that any type of alcoholic beverage—beer, wine, or spirits—has the same potential to reduce the risk of a heart attack.

Should You Drink Alcohol?
Although much evidence points toward the heart benefits of alcohol, experts do not recommend that people who abstain start drinking alcohol to improve their heart health. Instead, the American Heart Association recommends the traditional methods for preventing heart disease, including consuming a healthy diet, exercising, and controlling blood cholesterol, weight, and blood pressure.

But for people who do drink alcohol moderately, a drink or two per day for men and no more than a drink a day for women can be one of the many ways to maintain heart health. (More than one drink a day for women may increase the risk of breast cancer; because women tend to weigh less, heavier drinking is also more likely to lead to cirrhosis of the liver in women than in men.)

One drink is generally defined as 12 oz. of beer, 5 oz. of wine, or 1.5 oz. of spirits.

Who Should Not Drink Alcohol
Of course, alcohol abuse can be detrimental to your health. Excessive alcohol intake has been linked to a weakening of the heart muscle, hemorrhagic (bleeding) stroke, cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), certain cancers, trauma (such as in car accidents), suicide, and homicide. Heavy alcohol intake can also cause or exacerbate high blood pressure. The American Heart Association recommends that people with the following conditions not drink alcohol:

  • A personal or strong family history of alcoholism
  • Uncontrolled high blood pressure (however, moderate alcohol intake appears helpful in men with controlled hypertension)
  • High blood triglyceride levels
  • Pancreatitis
  • Liver disease
  • Porphyria (a genetic disorder of the metabolism)
  • Heart failure
  • Pregnancy
  • Use of medications that can have adverse interactions with alcohol

  • For more Heart Health articles, please visit the Heart Health Topic Page


    Posted in Heart Health on August 3, 2007

  • Registered Users Log-in:

    Email:

    Password:

    Remember me
    Forgot Password?

    Become a Registered User!
    It's fast and FREE!
    The Benefits of Being A Registered User

    Health Topic Pages

    Arthritis +Add
    Back Pain & Osteoporosis +Add
    Caregivers | Caregiving
    Colon Cancer +Add
    Complementary Medicine
    Depression & Anxiety +Add
    Diabetes +Add
    Digestive Health +Add
    Exercise and Fitness
    Healthy Living +Add
    Heart Health +Add
    Hypertension & Stroke +Add
    Lung Disorders +Add
    Memory +Add
    Men's Health
    Nutrition +Add
    Prescription Drugs +Add
    Prostate Disorders +Add
    Sexual Health
    Vision +Add
    Weight Control +Add
    Women's Health
    Health Alert Special Report


    Get yours FREE: Seven Keys to Reduce Cholesterol

    FREE Johns Hopkins Special Report: Seven Keys to Reduce Cholesterol

    PLUS FREE Johns Hopkins
    Heart Health Alerts!

    YES! Send me my FREE Special Report and FREE Health Alerts YES!



    ALL NEW FOR 2008!

    1. All new editions of The Johns Hopkins White Papers 2008
    2. All available as instant digital downloads in PDF

    Johns Hopkins’ Bestsellers

    Heart Health

    Our Featured Title:

  • The Johns Hopkins Heart Bulletin
    The Johns Hopkins Heart Bulletin
    is a quarterly publication that presents the latest information available to help you make informed decisions about your cardiac care.

    Every issue is rushed to you via Priority Mail, providing you with heart-healthy information previously unavailable to the public., direct from Roger Blumenthal, M.D., F.A.C.C. Assocate Professor of Cardiology, Director, The Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease.

    Every subscription also includes 4 FREE Special Reports:

    • Special Report #1: The Johns Hopkins Nutrition and Fitness Prescription—diet, weight loss, weight control, exercise, smoking cessation guidelines, and more, for preventing and even reversing heart disease
    • Special Report #2: Statin Drugs and the Cholesterol BattleZocor, Crestor, Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol, Lescol, and more! What you need to know to get the right prescription for you
    • Special Report #3: Men vs. Women: Matters of the Heartthe very important differences between the genders regarding cardiovascular health factors, what each can do for heart attack prevention, and the very key differences in symptoms when heart attack does occur—knowing these differences could very well save your life!
    • Special Report #4: Heart Procedures: State of the Art Surgical TreatmentsGuidelines on the latest breakthroughs in heart surgery options, such as bypass, angioplasty, stents, and more!

    PLUS, subscribe now and receive an added BONUS:

    • The Cardiac Glossary—packed full of key terms and concepts, so you can be on the "same page" as your doctor, and make the most of your subscription to The Johns Hopkins Heart Bulletin
    Read more or order The Johns Hopkins Heart Bulletin

    Other Heart
    Related Titles:

  • 2008 Coronary Heart Disease White Paper
    Discusses four problems resulting from coronary heart disease: heart attacks, angina, cardiac arrhythmias, and heart failure. Read more...

  • 2008 Heart Attack Prevention White Paper
    Focuses on lifesaving strategies for preventing a first heart attack, with up-to-date information on both established and newly discovered risk factors for heart attack; screening tests that can detect a problem before a heart attack occurs; lifestyle measures and medications that can dramatically lower your risk. Read more...

  • Johns Hopkins Recipes for a Healthy Heart
    Over the years. research has shown us that diet and exercise play an important role in the prevention of heart disease. Read more…

  • 2008 Diabetes White Paper
    Shows you how to manage your diabetes and avoid complications such as foot problems and vision changes. Read more...

  • 2008 Hypertension and Stroke White Paper
    Explains how to treat your high blood pressure and prevent it from harming your health. Read more...

  • The Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50

    Reference Books

  • The Johns Hopkins Medical Guide to Health After 50

  • Johns Hopkins Symptoms and Remedies

  • The Johns Hopkins Consumer Guide to Drugs


  • ALL NEW!Number One of America's Best Hospitals 2007: Johns Hopkins

    Johns Hopkins has been ranked #1 again in the Honor Roll of America's Best Hospitals by
    U.S. News and World Report for the 17th consecutive year.


    Please visit here for more information about Johns Hopkins Patient Services

    Johns Hopkins Health Alerts

    Welcome to May 2008 at Johns Hopkins Health Alerts!

    What's New

    Why not visit the new Prostate Bookstore: Prostate Bookstore

    Johns Hopkins White Papers 2008

    Gifts of Health and Wellness for the Spring Holidays

    The Johns Hopkins White Papers
    Johns Hopkins Bulletins
    Health After 50 Newsletter

    To order any of our print products as gifts for your friends, family, colleagues and other loved ones, please have their mailing addresses handy and phone:

    Customer Service:
    PRINT PRODUCTS: (through the mail)Inside US and Canada:
    1 800 829-0422
    Outside US: 1 386 445-4662
    Hours:
    M to F - 7AM to 12AM EST/EDT
    Sat & Sun - 9AM to 6PM EST/EDT

    customerservice@
    johnshopkinshealthalerts.com


    Already a subscriber to Health After 50?
    Or the Johns Hopkins Bulletins?
    Questions about your account?

    Johns Hopkins Health After 50 Newsletter

    Customer Service for Johns Hopkins Health After 50 and Bulletins Subscribers

    Johns Hopkins Prostate Bulletin



    Customer Service:
    Inside US and Canada:
    1 800 829-0422
    Outside US: 1 386 445-4462

    Hours:

    M to F - 7AM to 12AM EST/EDT
    Sat & Sun - 9AM to 6PM EST/EDT

    customerservice@
    johnshopkinshealthalerts.com

    University Health Publishing
    6 Trowbridge Drive
    Bethel, CT 06801


    Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to substitute for the advice of a physician.


    Charter Subscription to The Johns Hopkins Heart Bulletin,

    PLUS 4 FREE Special Reports, and a Cardiac Glossary

    Yes! Enter my charter subscription to The Johns Hopkins HEART BULLETIN on a risk-free basis at the charter subscription rate of $149 for one year (4 quarterly issues)— $46 off the regular subscription price.

    I understand that if I am not completely satisfied, I may cancel my subscription, send back the Bulletin, and receive a refund with no questions asked. The Special Reports and Cardiac Glossary are mine to keep even if I decide not to continue with my subscription.

    The Johns Hopkins Heart Bulletin: a quarterly in-depth report delivering the very latest research findings, medical breakthroughs, and therapeutic discoveries for preventing and treating coronary heart disease and related conditions.It's like having an in-depth consultation from a specialist from America's #1 medical center.

    In every issue, you'll find:

  • Quarterly briefings on the latest medical developments
  • Late breaking news of innovative new treatments and essential health study results
  • Expert evaluations and comparisons of new medications, surgical techniques, and diagnostic procedures
  • Authoritative medical guidance from leading experts from around the world
  • ALL delivered direct to you via Priority Mail!

    ADDED BONUS: FREE SPECIAL REPORTS!

    Click here for details:

  • Risk-FREE!
    Fill out the form and click "Submit my order."

    First Name

    Last Name

    Address

    Address2

    City

    State

    Zip

    Email Address (required)


    CANADIAN ORDERS, click here
    INTERNATIONAL ORDERS, click here


    Please send me my FREE Johns Hopkins Heart Health Alerts!

    Your risk-FREE subscription. The Johns Hopkins Heart Bulletin is yours to review risk-FREE. If you are not completely satisfied, simply return the Bulletin and receive a refund with no questions asked. Keep the four FREE Special Reports and the FREE Cardiac Glossary just for reviewing the Bulletin.

    Only by private subscription. Don't bother looking for The Johns Hopkins Heart Bulletin on the newsstand. It is available only by private subscription, delivered directly to you quarterly via Priority Mail.

    Why Johns Hopkins?


    © 2008 Medletter Associates, LLC. All rights reserved.
    Contact Us
    customerservice@johnshopkinshealthalerts.com