The Latest Findings on Alcohol and Cardiovascular Health

Have you heard that a glass of wine can be good for your heart health? This is (somewhat) true due to the antioxidants that are found in red wine, but the negative effects of the alcohol itself counteract any benefit. Antioxidants are also in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and even chocolate, and those aren’t toxic to our body! Research has since debunked the common misconception that wine is good for heart health, and found that even minimal amounts of alcohol can be bad for our heart. 

So, what are the new studies on alcohol and heart health all about? In two recent studies, researchers looked into two compounds (which we’ll get into later) to see how they impact alcohol-related heart issues. But first, let’s examine what we already know.

What We Know: Alcohol and Heart Health

Our heart is the core of our body function. After all, it keeps us alive! But alcohol, which is so normalized in our social culture, is directly linked to many heart issues:

• High blood pressure. Regular drinking increases blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Atrial fibrillation (AFib). Alcohol impacts electrolyte balance and heart rate. Long-term alcohol use can also cause structural changes such as thickening and scarring of the heart muscle, increasing the risk of irregular heartbeat, known as AFib.
• Cardiomyopathy. Regular drinking can damage the heart muscle over time. The damage makes it difficult for our heart to pump blood, and when it can’t do this efficiently, the heart can start to expand, thinning and weakening the heart, causing a condition called cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy can lead to heart dysfunction and even heart failure. 
• Tachycardia. Alcohol may be a depressant, but for multiple reasons it can cause a rapid heartbeat known as tachycardia. It dilates our blood vessels, slows down breathing, and impacts the signals that tell our heart to contract, making our heart work harder to circulate blood.
• Stroke. AFib increases the risk of blood clots in the heart. If the clot moves up to the brain, it can lead to stroke. Research shows that people with AFib are five times more likely to have a stroke.

So, it’s clear that alcohol and poor heart health are directly tied, but what does the latest research tell us? 

The Latest Findings on Alcohol and Heart Disease

While it’s been previously established that quitting or cutting back on alcohol improves heart health, the truth is that heart damage from alcohol consumption continues to be a public health issue. Two new animal studies looked at factors that could help protect against cardiovascular damage from alcohol, namely Alda-1 (a chemical activator) and estrogen (a hormone). Let’s take a closer look:

1. The Chemical Chaperone: Alda-1 

Previous research found that binge drinking increases a stress-related protein in the heart known as JNK2. This protein disrupts how our heart cells handle calcium (which is essential for helping our heart muscles contract), leading to irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia).

This new study looked at how aldehyde dehydrogenase activator 1 (Alda-1) could prevent the activation of this stress protein. Alda-1 is a chemical compound that increases the activity of the ALDH2 enzyme (a main enzyme that helps break down alcohol). 

To test this, researchers separated mice into three groups. Two groups of mice were given every-other-day doses of alcohol to mimic binge drinking with only one group given Alda-1. The last group wasn’t exposed to alcohol or given Alda-1. They found that the mice exposed to alcohol had almost double the level of JNK2 (the stress-related protein) than the group that wasn’t. The study also found that more than 70% of the mice that weren’t given Alda-1 developed atrial fibrillation (Afib) compared to none in the group given Alda-1. 

Although this animal study may not be able to account for the complexities of binge drinking in humans, it does reaffirm the direct link between alcohol and Afib, and paves the way for additional research on using Alda-1 to protect us from alcohol-related heart issues. 

2. The Female Hormone: Estrogen

Another recent study looked at the potential link between estrogen and alcohol-related heart issues. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports that alcohol consumption disproportionately affects heart health in women. Could estrogen be the reason?

To answer this question, researchers used female rats with their ovaries removed, which simulates menopause (when the ovaries produce little to no estrogen). All of the mice were exposed to alcohol, but some were given an estrogen replacement. 

They found that the group given the estrogen replacement had more weight gain and fat mass as well as higher blood pressure and heart rate — all factors that impact heart health. This group also saw a greater impact on the heart’s ability to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body and greater disruption to the circadian clock proteins (which regulate heart function and other bodily processes). 

These findings show that estrogen is a significant factor in increased heart-related issues from alcohol in women. This fact serves as a reminder that women may need to take greater precautions, but it also leaves room for additional research on the prevention of alcohol-related heart problems for women and men. 

Both studies were aimed at examining specific protective factors against alcohol-related heart issues (that weren’t quitting or cutting back on alcohol), The studies acknowledged that quitting or cutting back has significant positive impacts on heart health. Let’s explore other ways we can maintain a healthy heart.

Boosting Heart Health 

Positive habits may not be able to completely prevent heart disease, but they can make a big difference in boosting our overall heart health. Here are some practices we can implement:

• Maintain a healthy weight. Avoid empty calories from alcohol and stay active to maintain a healthy weight. This puts less stress on our heart, which helps prevent disease and dysfunction. 
• Eat a healthy diet. A balanced plate with healthy fats, whole grains, lots of fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins helps us keep our cholesterol and blood pressure down, helping our heart function optimally. Limit highly processed foods that are high in sugar, fat, or sodium.
• Eliminate toxic substances. Toxic substances such as alcohol, nicotine, other drugs, and even synthetic fragrances can directly impact heart health and function. Quit or cut back on alcohol and other drugs and reach out for support to start working towards a healthier future.
• Manage stress. Stress can cause inflammation, high blood pressure, and a heightened heart rate — all impacting proper heart function. Try stress-reducing activities such as gentle movement, spending time in nature, meditating, or journaling. 
• Get enough sleep. When we don’t get enough sleep, our hormones can get out of whack, we can be more stressed, and our blood pressure may rise, impacting heart function. To get more restorative sleep check out these tips on “Healthy Sleep Hygiene Habits for More Restful Nights.”

While research on using Alda-1 and knowledge on estrogen to treat alcohol-related heart issues is still in its early stages, these tips can help us maintain a healthy heart based on what we know now. As the anonymous saying goes, “The road to a healthy heart is paved with good intentions and positive choices.” And with every new day, we have a chance to make those positive choices!

The Heart of the Matter

Alcohol and heart disease have a direct link, but recent research found promising results in terms of possibly preventing alcohol’s detrimental effects on our cardiovascular health. But, at the end of the day, nothing is as effective as limiting or eliminating the substance that’s causing the issue. Let’s do our part in caring for our heart by quitting or cutting back on alcohol!