FibriCheck
Provider LoginContact Us
← All articles Blog

Alcohol and its effect on your heart

FibriCheck 4 min read

Woman drinking a glass of red wine outdoors

A glass of wine with dinner, a beer with friends, a toast at a party. For many people, a drink is a normal part of life. But alcohol does more to your heart than you might think.

The good news is that you don’t have to change everything at once. Drinking a little less can already make a real difference for your heart. In this article, you’ll find out how alcohol affects your heart, how much is too much, and some simple ways to cut back.

How does alcohol affect your heart?

Alcohol affects your heart in several ways:

  • It raises your blood pressure. Your blood vessels get narrower, so your heart has to work harder to pump blood around your body.
  • It can upset your heart rhythm. Alcohol can make your heart beat irregularly.
  • It can weaken your heart muscle. Drinking a lot over many years can damage the heart muscle, so it pumps less well.
  • It dries out your body. Alcohol makes you lose fluid and minerals that your heart needs to work properly.

Alcohol and heart rhythm problems

A heart rhythm problem, or arrhythmia, means your heart beats too fast, too slow or irregularly. The most common type is atrial fibrillation (AF).

Drinking alcohol on a regular basis increases the chance of developing AF. Drinking a lot in a short time can also trigger it, even if you usually drink very little. Doctors call this the “holiday heart syndrome”. It can happen during a night of heavy drinking or up to 36 hours later.

If you already have AF, alcohol makes it more likely that your symptoms come back.

Alcohol and stroke

When you have AF, blood does not flow through your heart as smoothly as it should. This can cause a blood clot to form. If that clot travels to your brain, it can cause a stroke. Because alcohol raises your blood pressure and your risk of AF, it also raises your risk of stroke.

Do you take blood thinners? Alcohol can make their effect stronger and increase the risk of bleeding. Talk to your doctor about what is safe for you.

How much alcohol is too much?

The World Health Organization says there is no safe amount of alcohol for your health. The risk starts with small amounts and grows the more you drink. So the less you drink, the better.

If you do drink, these guidelines can help:

  • Have no more than one drink a day.
  • Keep some days of the week completely alcohol-free.
  • Avoid drinking a lot in one go. More than five drinks at once is seen as binge drinking.
  • Do you have AF? Heart experts advise no more than three drinks a week. Studies show that people with AF who cut back to this level have fewer symptoms.

What is one standard drink? It is a small glass of wine, a small glass of beer or a shot of spirits. Be careful: a large glass of wine or a big glass of beer already counts as more than one.

What about red wine?

Maybe you’ve heard that a glass of red wine is good for your heart. This idea comes from the fact that red wine contains polyphenols. These are healthy substances from the skin of grapes that can protect your heart.

But the benefit does not come from the alcohol. And to get enough polyphenols from wine, you would have to drink far more than is healthy. The harm from the alcohol is bigger than the benefit.

You can get the same healthy substances in other ways. Grapes, berries, other fruit, vegetables and tea all contain polyphenols, without the alcohol.

Woman drinking a glass of water by an open window

Tips to drink less alcohol

Small changes add up. Pick one or two tips to start with:

  1. Plan alcohol-free days. Start with two days a week without alcohol and build from there.
  2. Choose quality over quantity. Enjoy one good glass slowly instead of several quick ones.
  3. Drink a glass of water after each alcoholic drink. You’ll drink less alcohol and stay hydrated.
  4. Try alcohol-free drinks. There are more options than ever: alcohol-free beer and wine, mocktails and tonics with interesting flavours.
  5. Keep water close by. Put a bottle on the table at dinner and carry one in your bag or car.
  6. Make your water more fun. Add ice, a slice of lemon or cucumber, or some fresh mint. Pour it into a wine glass for a special touch.
  7. Take a break. Try a month without alcohol. Many people sleep better, have more energy and drink less afterwards.

Look after your heart

Every drink you skip is good for your heart. Measure your heart rhythm regularly with FibriCheck to keep an eye on your heart health.

References

risk factors