Drinking alcohol even in moderation may pose serious risks for some heart conditions, researchers have warned.
Cardiac specialists in Australia have published a new review on the evidence linking alcohol intake and atrial fibrillation.
Dr Aleksandr Voskoboinik and colleagues write in the December issue of The Journal of American College of Cardiology that: "Alcohol is popular in Western culture, supported by a perception that modest intake is cardioprotective.
"However, excessive drinking has detrimental implications for cardiovascular disease."
Their research of over 100 previous studies suggests that even modest levels of alcohol intake on a regular basis may also increase the risk of atrial fibrillation. Causes of the link may include direct toxicity and alcohol’s contribution to obesity, sleep-disordered breathing, and hypertension.
The experts report that patients commonly present to emergency departments with "holiday heart syndrome," or atrial fibrillation precipitated by alcohol. One study found that while "many patents develop atrial fibrillation at the time of intoxication, others may present 12 to 36 hours later".
Christopher Allen, from the British Heart Foundation, commented: "The festive period is often a time of feasting and celebrations which can often lead to an increase in alcohol consumption. There is no truly ‘safe’ amount of alcohol you can drink and even if you don’t exceed the recommended guidelines of 14 units per week, you could still be putting your heart health at risk.
"No one should increase their alcohol units or take up drinking alcohol based on any current or past research into the possible benefits. Any small benefits there could be from drinking alcohol are far outweighed by the risks and drinking too much could lead to irregular heart rhythms and also liver failure, high blood pressure and stroke."
Voskoboinik, A. et al. Alcohol and Atrial Fibrillation. The Journal of American College of Cardiology 5 December 2016; doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2016.6.08.074
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