Is alcohol really good for heart health?

The article was written by MSc La Thi Thuy - Interventional Cardiologist, Cardiology Center - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital

Some studies show that drinking alcohol in moderation makes your heart healthier. However, the question is is drinking alcohol risky or good for blood pressure? Weighing the pros and cons helps you make smart choices

The direct effects of alcohol are related to metabolic processes in the body. Drinking more than 3 glasses at a time can temporarily increase blood pressure, but the value will return to normal once it is metabolized out of the body. Similarly, drinking too much – 5 or more drinks within 2 hours for men and 4 or more drinks in 2 hours for women – can cause a temporary increase in blood pressure. But long-term drinking too much alcohol can actually raise blood pressure (hypertension).
As for the indirect effects of alcoholic beverages, these drinks contain a lot of energy and sugar that will increase body fat, gain weight and create unhealthy eating habits. All of these factors lead to an increase in blood pressure values.
To better understand how much alcohol is too much and how reducing your intake can lower your blood pressure, it's helpful to have a clear definition of what it means to drink too much.
Heavy drinkers are defined as four or more drinks within two hours for women and five or more drinks within two hours for men, if cutting down on intake could lower systolic blood pressure readings Collect about 5.5 mmHg and decrease diastolic blood pressure by about 4mm Hg.
Moderate drinking is up to one drink a day for women, two for men
Heavy drinking is more than three drinks a day for women, four for men
If you have high blood pressure, drink it. avoid alcohol or drink alcohol only in moderation, which means up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.
One drink equivalent is 12-ounce (355 ml) beer, 5-ounce (148 ml) wine or 1.5-ounce (44 ml) 80-degree distilled spirits, 1-ounce (30 ml) distilled spirits store 100 degrees.
You should keep in mind that alcohol can interact with some blood pressure medications, affecting how they work in your body or increasing their side effects.

In small amounts, it has been shown to reduce blood pressure by 2 to 4 mmHg in women. However, most experts agree that doesn't show a significant reduction to recommend that everyone drink. In fact, alcohol has other touted health benefits, such as its antioxidant, cholesterol-lowering effects or the heart-healthy effects of red wine. You first need to identify your lifestyle and genetic risk factors to determine whether you should drink alcohol, says medical doctor Arthur Klatsky, investigator for Kaiser Permanente's research division. are not. Many people shouldn't drink alcohol at all, for specific reasons like a family history of alcoholism or a history of heart or liver disease. But if you don't have genetic risk factors, you can still have one drink (for women) or up to two (for men), depending on your age.
James Beckerman, cardiologist at Providence St. Vincent of Portland, the study did not prove that wine is associated with a reduction in blood pressure. A Dutch study has also shown that heart-healthy nutrients called polyphenols in red wine help prevent heart disease but do not lower blood pressure. Research shows that polyphenols improve the cells that line blood vessels, while also improving blood flow and heart health. However, it is not yet known whether this has the potential to improve high blood pressure in severe cases.

The researchers suggest that the alcohol in alcohol undermines any antioxidant benefits for people with high blood pressure. A glass of red wine won't improve your blood pressure. Therefore, it is advisable to take the time to make lifestyle changes such as low salt consumption, optimal weight loss, exercise, and medication if needed to reduce blood pressure.
Consider age and other risk factors for heart health and blood pressure before making a decision about whether and how much to drink. Drinking more than two drinks in a day can raise your blood pressure. Drinking more than one or two drinks is directly linked to a rapid rise in blood pressure and, in people with very high blood pressure levels, can lead to stroke.
Therefore, although alcohol also has certain health benefits, we should not abuse it and only use it in moderation. Especially for people with high blood pressure, liver, stomach, it is best to stay away from alcohol and alcoholic beverages.

If you're taking medication to treat high blood pressure, you should be especially mindful of your alcohol intake — not only because of its effect on your blood pressure, but also because of its effect on your blood pressure medication.
Most blood pressure medications have the side effect of low blood pressure, which can cause dizziness, especially when moving from a lying or sitting position to a standing position. If you've ever had a bit of alcohol, you know that alcohol can have the same effect as knocking your balance. This combination can put you at a higher risk of falls and accidents. Also, if your blood pressure makes you feel drowsy and tired, alcohol can add to that feeling.
Some antihypertensive drugs cause highly dangerous drug interactions with alcohol: alpha-blockers (clonidine), beta-blockers (metoprolol), nitrates (isosorbide).
If in doubt, ask your doctor to assess the benefits and harms of drinking alcohol based on your current health history.

Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has developed a comprehensive and effective screening service for cardiovascular diseases, thereby in order to detect abnormal problems and have timely intervention. The examination is always performed by a team of doctors with many years of experience, combined with modern equipment to help bring the most optimal diagnosis and treatment results to customers.
Therefore, Vinmec hospital is always rated as a prestigious and quality medical address for all customers.

Reference source: webmd.com - mayoclinic.org