Alcoholism relates to heart disease

Answer 1

Men who drink more than the daily recommendations of alcohol may be more likely to suffer from a stroke, according to a new US study published in the 4 January 2005 edition of the Annals of Internal Medicine. The study showed that men who drank three or more alcoholic drinks a day (more than three units) may be nearly 45 percent more likely to suffer from a stroke compared with non-drinkers. However, moderate drinkers - who drank one or two alcoholic drinks (one to three units) on three to four days of the week - had an average 32 percent lower risk of stroke than non-drinkers. Alcohol may be linked to the risk of a stroke because heavy drinking is associated with high blood pressure and a fast, irregular heart beat. High blood pressure is the single most important risk factor for stroke. High blood pressure puts a strain on the blood vessels, which can lead to the narrowing of arteries and the formation of blood clots. A fast, irregular heart beat can cause erratic blood flow, which may lead to the formation of a blood clot. A blood clot may block the flow of blood to the brain and cause a stroke. Research has shown that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol may protect against Heart disease. The blood vessel disease (that can lead to formation of a blood clot) that causes a stroke is similar to that which causes heart disease. The same factors that cause or prevent heart disease often cause or prevent stroke. The lowest risk of stroke seems to occur when drinking alcohol is limited to one or, at most, two drinks approximately every other day. This benefit appears to be lost if alcohol is drunk on more than three to four days of the week.1 * three to four units (125ml) a day for men * two to three units a day for women * one small glass (125ml) of table wine * a single pub measure (25ml) of whisky, gin or brandy * half a pint of beer or cider * quarter of a pint of super strength beer or cider The study showed that men who drank red wine had a 23 percent lower risk of a stroke compared with those who drank other types of alcohol. Further research is needed to confirm this finding. == == == ==