Drinking Alcohol and Mortality in Cardiovascular Disease Patients

Research has established that the regular and moderate alcohol consumption of alcoholic beverages (beer, wine and liquor or spirits) by healthy people is associated with lower cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.

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In this analysis of 16,351 patients with a history of cardiovascular disease reported in eight prospective studies, the risk of cardiovascular mortality was reduced by 22% among those who consumed about two drinks (about 26 grams) of alcohol per day.

The researchers, who also studied all-cause mortality, concluded that "In patients with cardiovascular disease, light to moderate alcohol consumption (5 to 25 g/day) was significantly associated with a lower incidence of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality."

Note: This website does not provide medical opinion or advice and none should be inferred.

Source:

  • Costanzo, S., et al. Alcohol consumption and mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease: a meta-analysis. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2010, 55, 1339-1347.

Readings on Drinking Alcohol and Cardiovascular Disease Risk:

  • (listing does not imply endorsement)
  • Aguilar, D., et al. Alcohol consumption and prognosis in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction after a myocardial infarction. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2004, 43, 2015–2021.
  • Beaglehole, R., and Bonita, R. Alcohol: a global health priority. Lancet,
    2009, 373, 2173–2174.
  • Corrao, G, et al. A meta-analysis of alcohol consumption and the risk of 15 diseases. Preventive Medicine, 2004, 38, 613–619.
  • Corrao, G., et al. Alcohol and coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis. Addiction, 2000, 95, 1505–23.
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  • Gronbaek, M, et al. Wine, alcohol and cardiovascular risk: open issue. J Thromb Haemost, 2004, 2, 2041– 2048.
  • Iestra, J.A., et al. Effect size estimates of lifestyle and dietary
    changes on all-cause mortality in coronary artery disease patients: a
    systematic review. Circulation, 2005, 112, 924 – 934.
  • Jackson, V.A., et al. Alcohol consumption and mortality in men with preexisting cerebrovascular disease. Archives of Internal Medicine, 2003, 163, 1189 – 1193.
  • Janszky, I., et al. Alcohol and long-term prognosis after a first acute myocardial infarction: the SHEEP study. European Heart Journal, 2008, 29, 45–53.
  • Klatsky, A.L. Alcohol, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus.
    Pharmacological Research, 2007, 55, 237– 247.
  • Klatsky AL. Should patients with heart disease drink alcohol? JAMA,
    2001, 285, 2004 –2006.
  • Lichtenstein, A.H., et al. Diet and lifestyle recommendations revision 2006: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association Nutrition Committee. Circulation, 2006, 114, 82–96.
  • Masunaga, N., et al. Effects of alcohol consumption on cardiovascular events in male patients with healed myocardial infarction. Circulation Journal, 2006, 70, 1263– 1268.
  • Mukamal KJ. Alcohol use and prognosis in patients with coronary heart disease. Preventive Cardiology, 2003, 6, 93–98.
  • Reynolds, K., et al. Alcohol consumption and risk of stroke: a meta-analysis. JAMA, 2003, 289, 579 – 588.
  • Rimm, E.B., et al. Review of moderate alcohol consumption and reduced risk of coronary heart disease: is the effect due to beer, wine, or spirits? BMJ, 1996, 312, 731–736.
  • Rimm, E.B., et al. Moderate alcohol intake and lower risk of coronary heart disease: meta-analysis of effects on lipids and haemostatic factors. BMJ, 1999, 319, 1523– 1528.
  • White, I.R., et al. Alcohol consumption and mortality: modeling risks for men and women at different ages. BMJ, 2002, 325, 191.

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Filed Under: Heart