According to Dr. Utagi - Cardiologist in India - the habit of drinking alcohol, beer and alcoholic beverages increases the likelihood of serious heart disease over time.
High blood pressure is the leading predictor of heart attacks and strokes. A 2024 analysis by the American Heart Association shows that consuming 10g of alcohol per day (equivalent to 2/3 of standard drinks) will increase both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Drinking more than 3 glasses at a time can cause sudden high blood pressure due to the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, damaging blood vessels and making heart disease worse.
In addition, alcohol increases the risk of atrial fibrillation – a form of abnormal heartbeat that increases the risk of stroke by 5 times. Research in 2023 in the Review of Cardiology showed that even moderate alcohol consumption (one glass per day) also increases this risk. Alcohol disrupts electrical signals in the heart, especially dangerous for drunk people (heart syndrome during the holiday).
In addition, chronic alcohol abuse leads to myocardial disease, causing the heart to become enlarged, weak, and unable to pump blood effectively. This condition causes fatigue, shortness of breath, and swelling in the legs. Although early stages can improve after alcohol withdrawal, long-term damage will lead to irreversible heart failure.
In terms of metabolism, alcohol increases neutral fat and can lead to fatty liver, adversely affecting metabolic health.
Long-term alcohol consumption causes inflammation inside blood vessels and oxidative damage to heart tissue. This process accelerates the formation of plaque, leading to atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Alcohol also indirectly harms the heart by increasing belly fat, insulin resistance and reducing sleep quality.
Dr. Utagi emphasized that the concept that moderate alcohol consumption is good for the heart is a mistake due to many limitations in older studies. According to the guidance of Lancet 2018 and studies from 2018-2024, no alcohol consumption level is considered safe for cardiovascular health. Even drinking less can increase blood pressure and the risk of heart rhythm disorders.
Experts recommend that you seek emergency medical care if you experience chest pain, severe shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, fainting or sudden weakness in one side of your body after drinking alcohol.
If you have high blood pressure, diabetes or arrhythmia, it is best to completely avoid alcoholic beverages. If you use them occasionally, make sure to eat before drinking, drink enough water and maintain many days off alcohol each week.
