Moderate Drinking Found to Improve Prognosis after Surviving Heart Attack

Harvard medical researcher Dr. Keneth Mukamal and colleagues investigated alcohol consumption, previous drinking, and prognosis after acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

The investigators studied 1,346 patients age 45-70 after they experienced a non-fatal AMI. The study, which followed the patients for over eight years, recorded their alcoholic beverage consumption at the time of AMI as well as five years before that time; recurrent hospitalization for non-fatal AMI, stroke or heart failure; cardiac mortality, and total mortality.

The lowest risk for a second attack or death was lowest for those consuming approximately one to three drinks per day compared to abstainers and heavy drinkers. The risk of hospitalization for recurrent non-fatal AMI, stroke, or heart failure generally showed a similar pattern.

These findings are consistent with other scientific medical research.

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