What are the effects of alcohol consumption on cardiovascular health?
There is evidence that regular, moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. Numerous observational studies have reported that moderate daily alcohol consumption is associated with a lower risk of CHD, although the magnitude of the association varies. Additionally, some observational studies suggest that moderate alcohol consumption may improve other cardiovascular risk factors, such as lipid levels, blood pressure, and inflammatory markers, as reflected by a reduction in C-reactive protein. However, there are no randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in either healthy individuals or in patients with stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD) demonstrating improved clinical outcomes with alcohol consumption. Because of the many health and societal consequences of alcohol abuse, patients who do not already drink alcohol should not be encouraged to start. Patients who do consume alcoholic beverages should be counseled to do so in moderation: no more than 1 drink (4 ounces of wine or 1 ounce of spirits) per day for women and no more than 2 drinks per day for men.