Alcohol and heart disease.
Published Dec 1, 1996 · T. Pearson
Circulation
136
Citations
1
Influential Citations
Abstract
Any advice about the consumption of alcohol must take into account not only the complex relation between alcohol and cardiovascular disease but also the well-known association of heavy consumption of alcohol with a large number of health risks.1 One approach would be to recommend no consumption of alcohol. However, a large number of recent observational studies have consistently demonstrated a reduction in coronary heart disease (CHD) with moderate consumption of alcohol.2 3 Any prohibition of alcohol would then deny such persons a potentially sizable health benefit. This advisory examines the complex relation between alcohol and coronary heart disease and offers recommendations for the responsible use of alcohol. Many beverages contain alcohol in varying amounts, necessitating standardization of the quantity of alcohol contained in various drinks. In general, the amount of absolute alcohol in grams is determined by the number of beverages consumed per day times the amount of alcohol in each beverage. In general, a 12-ounce bottle of beer, a 4-ounce glass of wine, and a 1 1/2-ounce shot of 80-proof spirits all contain the same amount of alcohol (one half ounce). Each of these is considered a “drink equivalent.”4 Recent studies have tried to determine whether specific beverages have unique protective or deleterious effects. The interpretation of this research is complex because one person often consumes several types of beverages. A large number of observational studies have consistently demonstrated a J-shaped relation between alcohol consumption and total mortality .5 This relation appears to hold in men and women who are middle aged or older.6 7 8 9 The lowest mortality occurs in those who consume one or two drinks per day.10 In teetotalers or occasional drinkers, the rates are higher than in those consuming one or two drinks per day. In persons …