Some older studies suggest that consuming one glass of wine per day for women and two glasses of wine per day for men reduces the risk of heart attack. However, a review of 107 studies involving more than 4.8 million participants found that those who drank less than two drinks (25 grams) of alcohol per day did not have reduced mortality rates, and The risk of death was found to be significantly increased in women with a high incidence of Men who drink more than 25 grams per day and men who drink more than 45 grams per day (JAMA Net OpenMarch 31, 2023;6(3):e236185).

Potential flaws in study suggesting drinking less alcohol reduces heart attack risk
For a study to show that alcohol reduces the risk of heart attack, it must compare a test group of drinkers to a control group of non-drinkers. Studies that appear to show health benefits from low doses of alcohol may be due to the use of flawed control groups. We know that people who drink alcohol in moderation are healthier than people who don’t drink alcohol. That’s because they are typically more educated, have more money, are more physically active, are more likely to have health insurance, and eat more vegetables. (J Stud Alcohol Drug, 2016 March;77(2):185-98). More importantly, the non-drinking control groups in these studies had health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart, kidney, liver, and lung disease and therefore did not drink alcohol as directed by their doctor. This includes people who have quit. Some people recover from alcoholism. The mortality rate for such people will be high.

The study, which followed 4,028 adults aged 18 to 64 for 20 years, found that moderate drinkers did not live longer than non-drinkers, after excluding people who stopped drinking for medical reasons from the control group. found. -drunkard(PLoS Medicine, 2021 Nov 2;18(11):e1003819). An analysis of 45 initial studies shows that studies linking moderate drinking to lower heart attack rates require better control groups (J Stud Alcohol and DrugsMay 2017;78(3):394-403).

Low doses of alcohol have no health benefits
A recent review of seven studies involving more than 19,000 adults found that consuming one alcoholic drink a day for more than four years was associated with increased blood pressure, even if blood pressure was previously normal. I found out that there is.high blood pressureJuly 31, 2023).

The World Heart Federation reported that consuming one drink a day does not help prevent heart attacks (clinical nutrition, 2022 February 1;41(2):348-355). A study of 371,463 people found that no matter how much alcohol you drink, it doesn’t protect you from heart disease, and the more you drink, the more likely you are to have a heart attack.JAMA Net OpenMarch 2022;5(3):e223849).

People who consume only one drink a day may be at increased risk of heart disease (J American College of CardiologyDecember 5, 2016), and enlargement of the upper heart and irregular heartbeats that can lead to blood clots and strokes (J. Am Heart AssocSeptember 14, 2016;5:e004060; J Am Col Cardiol, 2016;68(23):2567-2576). Binge drinking, defined as drinking five or more drinks in a single match, further increases the risk. Data from six studies involving more than 12,500 cases of atrial fibrillation showed that the risk of arrhythmia increased by 8 percent for each additional day of drinking any type of alcohol.J.A.M. Colcard, July 14, 2014). Many other studies have linked alcohol to atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure, heart failure, and stroke. Although not due to association, I believe these studies give reason to be cautious.

Alcohol consumption is associated with increased heart rate, high blood pressure, weakened heart muscle, and irregular heartbeats, all of which can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke (alcohol clinical trial, 2015 Dec;39(12):2334–2344). Alcohol consumption, in any amount, is associated with an increased risk of arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation (European Heart J, 2021 Mar 21;42(12):1170-1177). A study that followed 79,000 Swedish adults aged 45 to 83 for up to 12 years found that those who drank any amount of wine or alcohol daily were more likely to have abnormally fast heartbeats, which can lead to blood clots, stroke, and stroke. showed an increased risk of atrial fibrillation. Heart failure (J American College of CardiologyJuly 14, 2014).

I recommend
Many early studies suggest that up to one drink per day is safe for women and up to two drinks per day for men. Almost 30% of North Americans consume more than one drink per day. Recent research suggests that alcohol may not be “safe” or beneficial, no matter how much you consume. Whatever decisions you make about your own alcohol consumption, do not base them on information from the alcoholic beverage industry. While drinking occasionally is probably harmless, drinking every day can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Dr. Gabe Merkin is a villager.Learn more about www.drmirkin.com