Wine and heart health
Some studies have shown that adults who drink light to moderate amounts of alcohol may be less likely to develop heart disease than those who do not drink at all or are heavy drinkers. However, people who do not drink alcohol should not start just because they want to avoid developing heart disease. In fact, drinking too much alcohol can be bad for your heart health.
Information
There is a fine line between healthy drinking and risky drinking. Do not begin drinking or drink more often just to lower your risk of heart disease. Heavier drinking can harm the heart and liver. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in people who drink too much alcohol.
Risky drinking
Many people with alcohol problems cannot tell when their drinking is a problem or out of control. It is important to be aware of how much you are dr...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleHealth care providers recommend that if you drink alcohol, drink only light to moderate amounts:
- For men, limit alcohol to 1 to 2 drinks a day.
- For women, limit alcohol to 1 drink a day.
One drink is defined as:
- 5 ounces (150 milliliters, mL) of wine
- 12 ounces (360 mL) of beer
- 1 1/2 ounces (45 mL) of 80-proof spirits
There are much more effective ways to prevent heart disease, including:
- Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol
Controlling blood pressure
Hypertension is another term used to describe high blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to: StrokeHeart attackHeart failureKidney diseaseEar...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleCholesterol
Your body needs cholesterol to work well. But cholesterol levels that are too high can harm you. In the US, blood cholesterol is most often measured...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Getting at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of exercise every week
- Following a healthy diet with a variety of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, healthy oils, little to no added sugar and sodium, and little or no alcohol
- Not smoking
Not smoking
There are many ways to quit smoking. There are also resources to help you. Family members, friends, and co-workers may be supportive. But to be su...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Maintaining an ideal weight
Maintaining an ideal weight
The foods and drinks you choose are important to maintaining a healthy weight. This article offers advice on making good food choices to manage your...
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Anyone who has heart disease or heart failure should talk to their provider before drinking alcohol. Alcohol can make heart failure and other heart problems worse.
Reviewed By
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
American Heart Association website. The American Heart Association diet and lifestyle recommendations. www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/aha-diet-and-lifestyle-recommendations. Updated November 1, 2021. Accessed June 12, 2024.
Kloner RA, Rezkalla S. Cardiomyopathies induced by drugs or toxins. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 84.
Mozaffarian D. Nutrition and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine.12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 29.
Snetselaar LG, de Jesus JM, DeSilva DM, Stoody EE. Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025: understanding the scientific process, guidelines, and key recommendations. Nutr Today. 2021;56(6):287-295. PMID: 34987271 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34987271/.
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