Drinking Alcohol Increases Survival from Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)

Drinking alcohol in moderation throughout the year before an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) appears to reduce the risk of dying afterward.

Information on the prior drinking behaviors of about 1,900 patients was collected during their hospitalization of AMI. Deaths of participants were then monitored over the next four years.

After adjusting for age, sex and other factors, investigators found that light and moderate drinkers had lower death rates than patients who abstained. Moderate drinkers had the lowest mortality rate, reducing their risk by 32%, compared to abstainers. The health benefits were virtually identical for beer, distilled spirits, and wine.