Alcohol and Your Heart
Excessive alcohol intake can lead to numerous heart illnesses, including weakness of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy), irregular heart rhythms, stroke, and high blood pressure to name just a few.
Alcohol can also interfere with your cardiac medications. Moderation is key, but even then, alcohol can lead to deleterious effects on the heart.
The American Heart Association refers to moderate consumption as:
- 1-2 standard drink(s) per day for men
- 1 standard drink per day for women
How much is a standard drink?
- 12 ounces of regular beer
- 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits
- 5 ounces of table wine
Know your intake and seek professional help if needed.