Dr. Ranjan Shetty - Interventional Cardiology Department at Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru (India) - said that during long parties, especially at the end and beginning of the new year, men should not drink more than two glasses of alcohol (for example, each glass is 30 ml, men will consume 60 ml of strong alcohol or 24 grams of alcohol) while women should only drink one glass.
Any dose above the above level is considered binge drinking and is directly toxic to the heart muscle and conduction system of the heart, affecting the electrical impulses of the heart.
Dr. Ranjan Shetty lists some of the effects of alcohol consumption related to the heart including:
Hypertension
Drinking alcohol, especially in large amounts over a long period of time, can raise blood pressure. This can lead to heart problems such as coronary artery disease, stroke, and heart failure.
Increased risk of irregular heartbeat
Excessive drinking can disrupt your heart's rhythm, leading to conditions such as atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm that can cause stroke or heart failure.
Increased levels of bad cholesterol (LDL)
Alcohol can affect blood cholesterol levels. Although some studies suggest that moderate alcohol intake can increase good cholesterol (HDL), excessive drinking can increase bad cholesterol (LDL), which increases the risk of atherosclerosis.
Heart failure
Partying all night, accompanied by constant drinking, can put stress on the heart, leading to heart failure.
Alcohol can increase the burden on the heart and cause heart dysfunction with long-term use.
Hypoglycemia and electrolyte imbalance
Heavy drinking can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, which can disrupt heart function and cause symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, or even cardiac arrest in severe cases.
Increased risk of stroke
Drinking alcohol, especially heavy drinking, increases the risk of stroke, due to its effects on blood pressure and changes in blood clotting factors.
Long term consequences
Long-term alcohol abuse can lead to a condition called “alcoholic cardiomyopathy,” which weakens the heart muscle and reduces its ability to pump blood. This can lead to chronic heart failure.
