Alcohol should never be consumed alone, but should be washed down with water. Otherwise, a large occurrence of stroke or heart failure. This was stated by Suanna Steinbaum, a cardiologist and director of women’s hearts at the Cardiovascular Institute in New York.
As the expert explained, each sip of strong drink should be washed down with a glass of water. This is necessary not only to alleviate a hangover, but also to reduce the risk of fatal heart disease. Alcohol consumption can cause changes in heart rhythm, which can lead to a condition called atrial fibrillation.
According to statistics, 1.4 million people in the UK are already living with this dangerous condition, when the heartbeat is irregular and abnormally fast. In Ukraine, there are no special statistics in the public domain. Symptoms of atrial fibrillation include dizziness, shortness of breath, and fatigue, and if you do not try to get rid of this condition, it can lead to stroke or heart failure.
Studies have shown that the disease can be caused by both binge drinking and daily alcohol consumption – just one drink a day is enough. Doctors sometimes call this phenomenon a “holiday heart” because they see more cases of it during the holidays, when people abuse alcohol, Harvard Health reported.
A study published in the European Heart Journal found that people who drank one drink a day, which doctors considered moderate, had a 17 percent higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation. The risk increased by 28 and 47 percent for those who drank up to two or four drinks a day, respectively.
Dr Steinbaum commented: “Moderate or heavy drinking over a long period of time can increase the risk of a dangerous type of irregular heartbeat in adults over the age of 40. Atrial fibrillation occurs when the upper chambers of the heart beat irregularly, and can increase the risk of stroke fivefold if left untreated. Studies have linked higher alcohol consumption to an increased risk of developing the disease.
The doctor also drew attention to the fact that many people do not consume enough water when drinking alcohol.
“If your heart rate increases after drinking alcohol, it is most likely due to dehydration. To help counteract this, make sure you eat properly while drinking alcohol. If you drank water and still feel your heart beating faster than usual, you can try to slow down your heart rate by relaxing, ”she said.
For people who already have atrial fibrillation, alcohol may have an almost instantaneous effect on their heart rate, and in some patients this condition may be sporadic for several minutes or hours.
Researchers have found that one drink doubles the chance of an attack over the next four hours. Atrial fibrillation, which is thought to be caused by heart damage, can be the result of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and other factors.
Alcohol consumption, no matter how much, would not be encouraged in such conditions. It is also dangerous for people with inherited heart rhythm disorders or cardiomyopathy. “If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor may advise you to reduce the amount of alcohol you drink. Reducing alcohol consumption can also help prevent high blood pressure. If you drink, limit alcohol consumption to no more than two drinks a day for men and no more than one drink a day for women, ”the expert added.
“New data suggest that the health benefits of alcohol use are lower and spread to a smaller population than previously thought. The only group that can benefit in general are women over the age of 55, but even then only with low alcohol consumption – about five units a week or less, “- summed up the British Heart Foundation.
Earlier, the DIP wrote that “The type of alcohol that causes the worst hangover has been established.”
* This content, including tips, contains only general information. This in no way replaces a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or doctor for more information. We wish you good health, your DIP.