Alcohol and Heart Disease

Low to moderate alcohol use (no more than 2 drinks a day for men, 1 drink a day for women) might lower the risk of coronary artery disease.

If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation. But if you do not drink alcohol, do not start drinking to try to lower your risk of heart disease. You have many other options that can lower your risk. These options include a healthy diet, exercise, and not smoking. Talk to your doctor about your heart and the benefits and risks of drinking alcohol.

Drinking too much alcohol can be dangerous and can cause problems. Having more than 1 alcohol drink a day for women or more than 2 drinks a day for men may:

• Contribute to Reference high blood pressure Opens New Window, which is a risk factor for Reference coronary artery disease Opens New Window.
• Directly damage heart muscle (alcoholic cardiomyopathy), which may weaken the heart, leading to Reference heart failure Opens New Window.
• Cause abnormal heart rhythms (Reference arrhythmias Opens New Window).
• Slightly increase the risk of breast cancer in women.
• Interact with your medicines if you are being treated for heart disease (or other diseases or conditions).
• Increase your risk of liver disease.

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