Excessive Alcohol Use Linked to Heart Conditions
12/13/2022
Clarksville, TN (12/12/22) – Winter holidays, parties and social gatherings often provide opportunities to overindulge, but when it comes to alcohol, moderation is important for maintaining good heart health. “Holiday heart syndrome,” or atrial fibrillation (AFib) brought on by binge drinking, can occur in healthy adults without any existing heart conditions and is commonly diagnosed around the holidays.
AFib is an irregular and sometimes rapid heart rhythm that if left untreated can lead to blood clots or strokes. Symptoms of AFib include a racing heartbeat which can feel like a flutter or quiver, dizziness, shortness of breath and chest pain. Luckily, holiday heart syndrome is reversible, but if heavy drinking persists, the risk of developing conditions like heart disease and heart failure increases.
Regular heavy drinking, more than eight drinks per week for women and 15 for men, and binge drinking can lead to ongoing high blood pressure, increased irregular heart rate and weakened heart muscles. According to the American College of Cardiology, eliminating alcohol abuse would result in over 34,000 fewer heart attacks, 73,000 fewer atrial fibrillation cases and 91,000 fewer patients with congestive heart failure.
“Drinking too much puts excess strain on your heart and can cause long-term cardiovascular conditions while also increasing your risk of developing some cancers and obesity,” says Dr. David Amlicke, Interventional Cardiologist with Tennova Medical Group. “Bottom line, if you choose to drink, practice moderation.”
To cut down on drinking, consider removing alcohol from your home, picking a few days a week to abstain and always drink slowly. Stores and restaurants now offer many alcohol free alternatives like non-alcoholic beer, wine and liquor. At holiday gatherings, try sipping on a festive mocktail, sparkling cider or your favorite zero proof drink. If efforts to cut back don’t work, it may be time to speak with a healthcare professional.
Dr. Amlicke adds “There is some evidence that moderate amounts of alcohol might help to slightly raise levels of “good” HDL cholesterol. Researchers have also suggested that red wine, in particular, might protect the heart, thanks to the antioxidants it contains. Because each of us has unique personal and family histories, alcohol offers each person a different spectrum of benefits and risks. Whether or not to drink alcohol, especially for “medicinal purposes,” requires careful balancing of these benefits and risks.”
To learn about heart care services available at Tennova Healthcare - Clarksville or to request an appointment, visit www.tennovaclarksvilledocs.com/cardiology or call (931) 502-3750.
Dr. Amlicke is board certified in cardiovascular disease, nuclear cardiology and interventional cardiology. He received his medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago, IL, and completed his fellowship in cardiology and interventional cardiology at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, TN. Dr. Amlicke is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology.
Dr. Amlicke performs interventional cardiology procedures such as cardiac catheterization, angioplasty and stent placement in Tennova Healthcare – Clarksville’s digital cardiac cath lab. In his office, he sees patients for general cardiology visits, specialty consultations and cardiac surgical clearance.
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