Abstract
Low to moderate alcohol intake has been associated with beneficial effects on the heart and the vasculature, including improvements in several established and emerging cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors as well as reduced risk for several metabolic diseases, CVD morbidity and mortality. Binge and heavy drinking exert the opposite effects, leading to increased risks for all the above conditions. With regard to beverage type, there is some evidence supporting red wine superiority in cardioprotection, although other beverages have also been reported to exert beneficial metabolic and vascular effects when consumed in moderate amounts.
In this narrative review we discuss the associations between alcohol consumption and CVD morbidity and mortality. Alcohol-induced effects on established and emerging CVD risk factors are also discussed taking into consideration different drinking patterns. Physicians should screen for excessive alcohol use and advise individuals to limit their alcohol intake to moderate amounts (up to 20-30 g/day for men and 10-20 g/day for women), preferably consumed with meals. The question of whether alcohol intake should be encouraged as a measure to prevent CVD remains unanswered.
Keywords: Alcohol, cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular risk factors, diabetes, lipids, metabolic syndrome, statins.
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title:Alcohol and the Cardiovascular System: A Double-Edged Sword
Volume: 20 Issue: 40
Author(s): Niki Katsiki, Konstantinos Tziomalos and Dimitri P. Mikhailidis
Affiliation:
Keywords: Alcohol, cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular risk factors, diabetes, lipids, metabolic syndrome, statins.
Abstract: Low to moderate alcohol intake has been associated with beneficial effects on the heart and the vasculature, including improvements in several established and emerging cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors as well as reduced risk for several metabolic diseases, CVD morbidity and mortality. Binge and heavy drinking exert the opposite effects, leading to increased risks for all the above conditions. With regard to beverage type, there is some evidence supporting red wine superiority in cardioprotection, although other beverages have also been reported to exert beneficial metabolic and vascular effects when consumed in moderate amounts.
In this narrative review we discuss the associations between alcohol consumption and CVD morbidity and mortality. Alcohol-induced effects on established and emerging CVD risk factors are also discussed taking into consideration different drinking patterns. Physicians should screen for excessive alcohol use and advise individuals to limit their alcohol intake to moderate amounts (up to 20-30 g/day for men and 10-20 g/day for women), preferably consumed with meals. The question of whether alcohol intake should be encouraged as a measure to prevent CVD remains unanswered.
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Cite this article as:
Katsiki Niki, Tziomalos Konstantinos and Mikhailidis P. Dimitri, Alcohol and the Cardiovascular System: A Double-Edged Sword, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2014; 20 (40) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612820666140620125741
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612820666140620125741 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
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