First things first, alcohol consumption is not entirely a bad thing, but as with every other thing or vice, moderation should be a watch word. Excessive alcohol consumption doesn’t just cause weight and liver problems; it can also impact other areas of the body, including major organs, like the heart.
If one persists, with time, you’d start to notice questionable reactions after some drinking, and at this point, the red flags are flying so high up you might need a physician.
That being said, here are 5 secret side effects drinking alcohol can have on your heart;
Cons
Your heartbeat could change.
Those who keep track of their heart rate and pay attention to its natural ebb and flow may be surprised to learn alcohol could significantly impact the rhythm. Regular drinking can lead to the development of atrial fibrillation, a condition defined by irregular heartbeats. This is a dangerous shift since atrial fibrillation is a leading cause of stroke, heart failure, and other cardiovascular complications. One to two drinks a day could actually be damaging to your heart in this way.
You could experience hypertension.
When our blood pressure is too high, it can lead to hypertension, which increases the risk of a heart attack or a stroke. People who have more than three drinks at a time are more likely to develop hypertension, so it’s essential to be mindful of how much alcohol you consume. This is most important for women to pay attention to since they are more likely to develop hypertension than men.
You could experience serious heart problems.
As with anything, excessive alcohol can be hazardous for your overall health. It can be linked to severe heart problems. The quantity of alcohol that you drink is really important, and while in some circumstances alcohol can be beneficial for heart health, excessive consumption is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular morbidity. In addition, excessive drinking can also cause inflammation, which is a precursor for most chronic diseases.
While drinking more than one or two glasses is often socially acceptable, you might consider cutting back and seeing how you feel. A decrease in alcohol consumption would support your health in many noticeable and fairly immediate ways.
Pros
You will receive cardio-protective antioxidants.
Remember when we said alcohol is not entirely bad for you? Consuming moderate amounts of red wine can actually be good for your heart. Experts suggest one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. In fact, certain alcohols provide our body with cardio-protective antioxidants. Red wine is a wonderful option for a healthier drink because it contains health-supportive polyphenols such as resveratrol, catechin, epicatechin, quercetin, and anthocyanin. Resveratrol, in particular, is an antioxidant shown to support heart health.
Your HDL cholesterol could rise.
HDL is considered as the “good cholesterol”, so if you’re smart and conservative with your drinking, you could actually increase your HDL cholesterol which contains heart-protective qualities. The heart-protective benefits of alcohol form a J curve in which moderate alcohol consumption is considered to be more beneficial than both abstention and excessive drinking.