Its Not Just Heavy Drinking That Can Affect The Heart
In one recent study, researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden followed more than 79,000 men and women between the ages of 45 and 83. After 12 years, the researchers looked closely at the effects different types of alcohol had on these people.
They found an increased risk for atrial fibrillation in people who drank one to three glasses of wine and liquor per day. They did not find such a relationship with drinking beer.
They also calculated that a persons risk for developing Afib increased 8% with each additional alcoholic drink per day they consumed.
In another recent study, researchers found that people who drank moderate amounts of alcohol frequently had a greater risk of Afib than those who occasionally drank a lot of alcohol in one sitting, or binge drank.
What Took Place In The Study
In the study, ECG readings were taken, and breath alcohol concentrations were measured, while age, sex, heart disease, heart medications and smoking status were recorded.
The average age of the participants was, 35 years old and the average breath alcohol concentration was 0.85g/kg.
Increasing breath alcohol concentration was associated with sinus tachycardia of more than 100 beats per minute in 25.9% of the group.
A Glass Of Alcohol A Day Does Not Keep Afib Away
Contact: Katie Glenn, [email protected], 202-375-6472
WASHINGTON –
Often people who binge drink experience an irregular heartbeat or a heart flutter, sometimes referred to as holiday heart syndrome. However, people who drink smaller amounts of alcohol on a regular basis are also at higher risk of irregular heartbeat, according to a review published today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Irregular heartbeat, also known as atrial fibrillation, not only directly affects the heart itself, but is a leading cause of stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications.
More than 100 previous studies have shown that a light to moderate intake of alcoholup to seven standard drinks per week for women and 14 standard drinks per week for mencan actually be good for some people, and reduce the risk of heart disease, more specifically coronary artery disease. However, this review shows this is not the case when it comes to irregular heartbeat.
There has been a lot of attention in recent years about the benefits of drinking small amounts of alcohol for the heart, said the studys lead author, Professor Peter Kistler, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., of Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute and the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. The results are significant, since chances are, there are people who are consuming one to two glasses of alcohol per day that may not realize they are putting themselves at risk for irregular heartbeat.
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What Are The Effects Of Alcohol On Heart Rate
To what extent alcohol affects the body has been a subject of debate for a long time, and still continues today. The damaging effects that alcohol can have on a persons liver over a period of time is already common knowledge among most people. However, the effects of alcohol on heart rate is not commonly discussed, but the dangerous consequences may include diseases of the heart, damage to the heart and even death.
Another impact of alcohol on heart rate is known as supraventricular tachycardia . This occurs when a persons heart starts to beat extremely fast and it is not caused by exercise, sickness or stress. A normal heart rate is between sixty and one hundred beats per minute, but when SVT occurs the heart beat can rise between one hundred and three hundred beats per minute. In most cases, the heart rate restores itself to normal by the time the person reaches the doctor, but it can cause more severe complications.
How Alcohol Can Damage The Cardiovascular System
The heart and blood vessels form part of the cardiovascular system.1Blood is pumped around the body by the heart, via these blood vessels through arteries, capillaries and veins.2 The blood delivers nutrients and other materials to all parts of the body, including alcohol, which is absorbed directly into the blood stream mainly via the stomach and small intestine.
The cardiovascular system is affected by alcohol. At the time of drinking, alcohol can cause a temporary increase in heart rate and blood pressure. In the long-term, drinking above the guidelines can lead to on-going increased heart rate, high blood pressure, weakened heart muscle and irregular heartbeat. All of which can increase the risk of alcohol-caused heart attack and stroke.
Increased heart rate
Heart rate is the number of times the heartbeats per minute. Alcohol can cause variability in the way the heart beats the time between heart beats. Studies have found that regular heavy drinking can cause episodes of tachycardia .;6,7Complications due to regular episodes of tachycardia, do vary depending on their frequency, length and severity, but it can cause blood clots that can lead to a heart attack or stroke.8
Increased blood pressure
Weakened heart muscle
Irregular heart beat
Atrial fibrillation
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The Benefits Of Red Wine Might Be Overstated
The idea that red wine is good for heart health gets a lot of press, but the full story is more complicated than that, Gilstrap says. The American Heart Association, for example, says that drinking more red wine will generally not lead to a healthier heart.;
However, red wine has antioxidant properties and flavonoids, molecules that can benefit heart health, in moderation. A 2017 study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that moderate drinking had a positive impact on cholesterol, and that wine in particular increased levels of good cholesterol, which is an indicator of a healthy heart.;
There are healthier ways to get the benefits of antioxidants and flavonoids, which are rich in almonds, berries, apples, citrus, spinach, and black and green tea .;
All of the research with different conclusions can be confusing. Yet there are some clear takeaways: heavy drinking can hurt your heart health, while a standard drink over dinner is likely fine for most people. Of course, it’s best to talk to your doctor about your particular situation before indulging.;;
How The Heart Works
The heart is a muscle responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to all of the organs, tissues and other muscles in the body. Kids Health reports that the heart accomplishes two tasks simultaneously: the right side receives blood from the body and pumps it to the lungs, and at the same time the left side receives blood from the lungs and pumps it out to the body.
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Heart Problems Associated With Drinking
The Womens Heart Foundation explains that moderate to heavy drinking can damage the heart over time. It can cause abnormalities including high blood pressure, an enlarged and weakened heart, congestive heart failure and raise levels of triglycerides, further stressing the muscle. An increased heart rate is one symptom of these conditions.
Oolong Tea: Lower Cholesterol And A Warfarin Warning
Crushed tea leaves that have been oxidized for a period of time, and then heated to stop the process, make up Oolong tea, says Brill. One clinical study on Oolong tea;found;that it may help lower cholesterol levels in patients with coronary artery disease, though more research is needed to be certain. In animal studies, Oolong appeared to reduce triglycerides and food intake, says Dr. Day, though he adds that there is not yet a lot of data on Oolong and its cardiac effects.
Day advises talking to your doctor if you plan to drink Oolong, especially if you take a blood thinner like Coumadin. must tell their doctors everything they are taking every herb, supplement, vitamin, and so on. And that includes tea.
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Does Excessive Drinking Contribute To Heart Disease
Heavy drinking, on the other hand, is linked to a number of poor health outcomes, including heart conditions. Excessive alcohol intake can lead to high blood pressure, heart failure or stroke. Excessive drinking can also contribute to;cardiomyopathy, a disorder that affects the heart muscle.
Whats more, alcohol can contribute to obesity and the long list of health problems that can go along with it, McEvoy says: Alcohol is a source of excess calories and a cause of weight gain that can be harmful in the long term.
The takeaway, McEvoy says, is what you probably already knew: If you choose to drink alcohol, stick to moderate levels of drinking, and dont overdo it. Were not talking about going out and drinking yourself merry and then expecting good heart outcomes, McEvoy says.
Drinking Can Increase The Risk Of An Immediate Cardiac Event
While moderate or safe alcohol consumption is certainly better than consuming large quantities of alcohol, it does not necessarily prevent potential heart and other health conditions. In fact, studies have found that any alcohol consumption can increase a persons risk for an immediate cardiovascular event over the following 24 hours after drinking.
However, moderate drinking may also act as a protectant against cardiovascular events for the week following moderate alcohol consumption. A study found that moderate drinkers or individuals that consume four or fewer drinks in one sitting were up to 30 percent less likely to experience a hemorrhagic stroke or myocardial infarction in the seven days after drinking.
Conversely, heavy alcohol consumption can significantly increase a persons risk for cardiovascular problems in the week following drinking. In fact, consuming 19 to 30 drinks in one week can cause a person to be up to six times more likely to experience a cardiovascular event within a week.
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The Importance Of Water
Water makes up about 60 percent of your body weight. Every cell, tissue and organ in your body needs water to work properly. Water gets rid of wastes through urination, perspiration and bowel movements, water keeps your temperature normal, and water lubricates and cushions your joints. Water is also critical for your heart health. Your heart is constantly working, pumping about 2,000 gallons of blood a day. By staying hydrated that is, by drinking more water than you are losing you are helping your heart do its job.
Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when you lose more fluid through sweating, illness, fever or urination than you consume in food and water. Dehydration can negatively affect your organs and bodily functions, including your heart and cardiovascular system. When you are dehydrated your blood volume, or the amount of blood circulating through your body, decreases. To compensate, your heart beats faster, increasing your heart rate and your blood pressure. Also, when you are dehydrated, your blood retains more sodium, thickening your blood and making it harder for your blood to circulate through your body. Keeping your body hydrated helps your heart pump blood more easily and allows oxygen to reach your muscles, which helps the muscles work efficiently.
Signs of mild to moderatedehydration are thirst, a dry or sticky mouth, not urinating much, dark yellowurine, headache, or muscle cramps.
How much water do you need?
References:
Alcohol And A Racing Heart
You may notice your heart pounding a bit more after drinking alcohol. Drinking in moderation is key, says the AHA, which means no more than two drinks a day for men and one for women. Conversely, men who consume five-plus drinks in two hours or women taking in four or more is considered binge drinking, says AHA, which cannot only cause an irregular heartbeat but can lead to such complications as stroke, blood clots and heart failure.
“Alcohol is dehydrating, meaning it reduces your blood volume, which also increases heart rate,” says Jen Lyman, RD, a dietitian and founder of New Leaf Nutrition, in the greater St. Louis area. The AHA also notes that heavy drinking can cause arteries to age quickly, which could lead to atrial fibrillation or an irregular heartbeat.
A study published in the European Heart Journal in July 2017 analyzed more than 3,000 people who attended the 2015 Munich Octoberfest to find if alcohol consumption was associated with cardiac arrhythmias. Based on electrocardiogram readings and breath alcohol concentrations, the researchers found that, as breath alcohol concentration increased, heart rate also increased more than 100 beats a minute in nearly 26 percent of the participants.
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Fact: Overindulging In Alcohol Can Result In An Irregular Heartbeat
While alcohol in moderation is all right for most people, ;its important to be aware you can fall victim to holiday heart syndrome;if you overdo it. This is when overeating and overindulging in alcohol leads to an irregular heartbeat.
Holiday heart can;happen if you dont typically drink alcohol, but then have a few at a holiday party or you binge-drink and then develop an irregular heartbeat, called atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation increases your risk of;stroke,;heart attack;and;heart failure.
The American Heart Association recommends no more than one drink per day for women and two for men.
Alcohol Abuse And The Heart: How Alcohol Affects The Heart
Alcohol abuse can increase a persons risk of cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular conditions can be dangerous and even deadly. Seeking treatment for alcohol addiction is the best way to prevent harmful heart conditions and increase overall health.
Abusing alcohol can do far more damage than simply leaving a person with a bad hangover. Drinking more than the recommended amount can significantly increase a persons risk for a number of heart problems. If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol abuse or addiction, seeking help at a facility such as the many Vertava Health rehab centers can reduce the risk of cardiovascular conditions and other health problems.
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Caffeinated Foods / Beverages
The research around caffeine is a little less definitive since a study released at the start of 2016 found no relationship between caffeine consumption and palpitations. However, those results dont change the fact that caffeine revs up your sympathetic nervous system and spikes your levels of stress hormones , raising your blood pressure and increasing your heart rate. Caffeine also acts as a diuretic, which can wash away your potassium and magnesium stores, creating an electrolyte imbalance that disrupts the heart rhythm.
In my experience, placing extra stress on the heartas caffeine doescan aggravate existing arrhythmias or cause new ones. One of the reasons beta blockers;are prescribed to heart attack patients is that they help control heart rate and prevent sudden changes in heart rate and rhythm by blunting the effect of the stress hormone adrenaline.
For those of you with healthy hearts, your daily dose of coffee, tea, or chocolate probably wont cause any harm. Beware, though, of caffeine-containing energy drinks, which are particularly popular with young people. These drinks, which combine caffeine with large amounts of sugar, have been linked with heart palpitations, arrhythmia, heart attack, and sudden cardiac death in adolescents and young adults.
Why Does Your Heart Race When You Drink Alcohol
How, exactly, does alcohol increase heart rate? And arent some types of alcohol supposed to be good for the heart?
It appears that small amounts of alcohol may have some positive effect on your circulatory system. But the more you drink, the more those effects are overshadowed by other factors that put extra stress on your heart.
A small, real-time study2 compared the effect of one vs two servings of alcohol in healthy volunteers. In the results, one drink appeared to dilate blood vessels, helping reduce how hard the heart had to work. But two drinks seemed to have the opposite effect, decreasing artery dilation while also increasing:
- Sympathetic nervous system activity
- The amount of blood pumping through the heart
In other words, the more people drank, the harder the heart had to work to overcome the effects of alcohol. This may also partially explain the abnormal heart rhythm some people experience connected with binge drinking, sometimes known as holiday heart.
Interestingly, despite red wine having a reputation for improving heart health, the study found no difference between this and other types of alcohol.
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Why Does My Heart Beat Irregularly After Drinking White Wine
Some people find that particular types of alcoholic drinks impact them more than others. Wine, both red and white wine, are reported to cause many people with uncomfortable symptoms.
A glass of wine contains a chemical called tannins. If youre sensitive to this chemical, you might experience headaches, irregular heart rate or a stuffy nose . Wine also has a fair amount of histamines, which can trigger an allergic response in some.
If you reaction to wine is severe, its important to talk to a medical professional before drinking again. Although a true allergy to alcohol is rare, its still possible and could be serious. Or you might find that you have an allergy to an ingredient used in wine and should pick other alcoholic drinks without that ingredient. If you can avoid that particular ingredient, additive or preservative, your reaction might be reduced or stop completely.
What Is High Blood Pressure
When your heart beats, it pumps blood round your body to give the body the energy and oxygen it needs. Pressure is needed to make the blood circulate. The pressure pushes against the walls of your arteries and your blood pressure is a measure of the strength of this pushing, combined with the resistance from the artery walls.
A normal heart pumps blood around the body easily, at a low pressure. High blood pressure means that your heart must pump harder and the arteries have to carry blood thats flowing under greater pressure.
This puts a strain on your arteries and your heart, which in turn increases your risk of a heart attack, a stroke or of suffering from kidney disease2.;
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