Examining the true impact of alcohol on the heart

Coronary heart disease (CHD) causes approximately 80 000 deaths in the UK each year, and drinking over the advised limits has been linked with heart problems. Examples include heart arrhythmias, hypertension, damage to the myocardium such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, stroke, liver problems and even some cancers (Drinkaware, 2016). Long-term excessive drinking also causes an increased risk of cardiovascular disease—the biggest killer in the UK with 191 000 deaths a year (Drinkaware, 2016).

Newspapers previously caused a stir when claiming that alcohol may in fact be good for your heart. This has been misinterpreted by many to indicate that it is entirely safe to drink alcohol. However, no amount of alcohol is entirely safe, given the well documented effects it has on physical and mental health—but drinking within the low-risk guidelines is unlikely to cause much damage, and if someone is over 45, alcohol may in fact help protect the heart (Drinkaware, 2016). It is very important not to mistake this to mean that someone's entire physical and mental health will be benefitted, and to be aware that if there is indeed any potential benefit, this is quickly undone if the alcohol consumption exceeds the low-risk guidelines.