Excessive alcohol use can lead to cardiovascular issues. Men and women who drink more than the recommended amount are at higher risk of hypertension and weight gain. They may develop type two diabetes and are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke. What should a person know about alcoholism and cardiovascular health?
How Does Alcohol Affect the Body?
When a person consumes alcohol, the brain’s ability to control the body slows, because alcohol depresses brain function. It only takes a little bit of alcohol before speech and movement are affected. Large amounts can slow the heart rate and breathing to a dangerous level. Sadly, people who drink regularly may not realize the effects of alcohol, as they have built a tolerance. They need a PHP in Orange County to overcome their addiction and protect their health.
Does Alcohol Affect the Heart?
Alcohol abuse and high blood pressure go hand-in-hand. When a person’s blood pressure is poorly controlled, the heart muscle is strained. This strain can bring about cardiovascular disease and raise the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Men and women who regularly consume more than is recommended in the lower-risk guidelines should slow down or stop drinking immediately to bring their risk of a cardiovascular event down.
How Much is Too Much?
Men should not drink more than two drinks a day. Women need to stop after one drink. Excessive drinking not only increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke, but it may cause other issues with the heart. Some people develop cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart muscle has been damaged so it works less efficiently. Arrhythmias are also common in people who drink excessively.
Are There Benefits Associated with Drinking Alcohol?
People often talk about the benefits of drinking alcohol. However, these benefits are less than most people imagine. Men and women who don’t drink should never start in hopes of receiving these benefits.
Will Alcohol Worsen an Existing Heart Condition?
A person suffering from arrhythmia should not drink alcohol, as it increases the risk of an irregular heartbeat. For those who have an inherited heart rhythm condition, the risk is even greater. Binge drinking may lead to the first arrhythmia episode, which then puts a person at higher risk of future episodes. When a person stops drinking, their cardiomyopathy typically improves or disappears completely. In addition, their blood pressure numbers will improve with this reduction in alcohol use.
Can You Drink After Heart Surgery?
Following heart surgery, many patients find their medication dosages change. Drinking can affect the way these medications act in the body. It’s best to work with the doctor who performed the surgery to learn when drinking can be done safely. However, this surgery comes with some mental effects, so it’s best to put off drinking as long as possible, at least until the patient is in a better place emotionally.
How Does Alcohol Interact with Heart Medications?
Alcohol may make certain prescription medications less effective, especially those a person has been taking for a long time. Alcohol also affects the way anticoagulants and diabetes medications work, so talk with a doctor before drinking when taking these drugs. Alcohol can also damage the liver. It is important to know this, as certain drugs act directly on the liver. Drinking while taking these medications can increase any damage.
How Does Alcohol Affect Weight?
Consuming alcohol adds to the daily calorie count. Regular consumption of alcohol can lead to weight gain and obesity. Excess weight puts a person more at risk of a cardiovascular event. Additionally, when a person drinks, they may not eat a healthy diet, exacerbating the problem.
Alcohol in moderation is fine for most people. However, before drinking, a person must know the risks. Alcohol’s effect on the heart is only one thing a person should be concerned about. It also affects other parts of the body, so always drink responsibly to reduce the risk of health problems.
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