Researchers have found that levels of alcohol consumption currently considered safer by some countries are linked to the development of heart failure.
- According to a study, alcohol could be more dangerous for the heart than previously thought.
- According to the World Health Organization, the European Union is the region of the world where people drink the most.
Moderate or heavy alcohol consumption is associated with a 4.5 times higher risk of worsening heart health in people who have suffered from heart failure: this is the conclusion of a study by the European Society of Cardiology.
Thus, the consumption of alcohol, even at low doses, could be more dangerous for the heart than previously thought.
More cautious approach
“This study adds to the body of evidence indicating that a more cautious approach to alcohol consumption is neededsaid study author Dr Bethany Wong, of St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
“To minimize the risk of alcohol causing heart damage, if you’re not drinking, don’t start. If you drink, limit your weekly intake to less than one bottle of wine or less than three and a half 500ml cans of 4.5% beer”, recommends the expert.
744 adults over 40
The study included 744 adults over the age of 40 who were either at risk of developing heart failure due to risk factors (eg, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity) or already had pre-heart failure.
The average age was 66.5 years and 53% were women.
A total of 201 (27%) patients reported no alcohol consumption, while 356 (48%) were light drinkers and 187 (25%) had moderate or heavy consumption. Compared to the low drinking group, those with moderate or high drinking were younger, more often male, and had a higher body mass index.
Thus, in the group of people who had suffered from heart failure, compared to the group of people who had not consumed alcohol, moderate or heavy consumption was associated with a 4.5 times higher risk of worsening of the disease. heart health.
Lower limits
“Our results indicate that countries should advocate lower limits of safe alcohol consumption in pre-heart failure patients. In Ireland, for example, people at risk of heart failure or pre-heart failure are advised to limit their weekly alcohol intake to 11 units for women and 17 units for men. This limit for men is more than twice the amount we’ve deemed safe.,” Dr. Wong said.
In his care pathway guide “Heart failure”, the High Authority for Health (HAS) prescribes dietary habits and an adapted lifestyle: eliminate all alcohol consumption, play sports and adopt a Mediterranean diet that gives pride of place to fresh and seasonal products such as vegetables, fruits, legumes and foods rich in good fats such as oilseeds and olive oil. The HAS also recommends limiting foods high in salt such as cold cuts, cheese and bread.
