Alcohol and Heart Disease: What You Need To Know

Federal guidelines and the American Heart Association (AHA) recommend that if you do drink alcohol, to do so in moderation, and if you don’t drink, don’t start. The AHA does not recommend drinking wine or any form of alcohol to gain any potential health benefit.

According to U.S. Dietary Guidelines, moderate alcohol use means no more than one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. A standard drink is defined as:

• 12 ounces of regular beer (5% alcohol by volume)
• 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol by volume)
• 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits (approximately 40% alcohol content)

Recent research has changed how we view the health benefits of moderate alcohol use. This is especially true for cancer risk and heart health. Studies suggest that earlier research may have overstated health benefits and that even moderate alcohol consumption may increase overall health risks.

“There is not strong evidence for any health benefits of alcohol, especially for reducing the risk of heart disease or stroke,” Dr. Cork says.

In fact, growing scientific evidence points in the opposite direction — that alcohol, even in small amounts, may contribute to cardiovascular harm rather than prevent it.

• A 2022 study in JAMA Network Open found that drinking alcohol increases the risk of heart conditions. However, the risk varies based on how much people drink.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) also states there is no safe level of alcohol use. Even small amounts may be harmful to your health.

• AHA advises against using alcohol to improve heart health and instead recommends lifestyle changes like a healthy diet, regular exercise and stress management.

• While red wine contains compounds like flavonoids and other antioxidants that may benefit heart health, AHA emphasizes that these nutrients are readily available from other sources, such as grapes, red grape juice and blueberries, without the added risks that come with alcohol.

A 2024 study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine highlighted the challenges of alcohol research. It found that moderate drinkers appeared to have a lower risk of heart disease compared to both non-drinkers and heavy drinkers. However, the authors noted that their findings had only low to moderate certainty. This was primarily due to common issues in alcohol studies, such as people underreporting their alcohol intake and unclear definitions of terms like “non-drinker” and “moderate drinking.”

The 2022 JAMA Network Open study found that light to moderate drinkers often had healthier habits, like smoking less, eating better and exercising more, which may have skewed earlier findings suggesting alcohol was beneficial.

The study concluded that reducing alcohol intake likely lowers cardiovascular risk for everyone, regardless of how much they currently drink.

Drinking beyond moderate levels significantly increases health risks, including:

• High blood pressure
• Elevated triglycerides
• Obesity and a greater likelihood of developing diabetes
• Stroke and atrial fibrillation
• Liver disease and digestive problems

One of the best health improvements a person can make is to stop drinking alcohol, even for a little while. This idea has become popular in recent years, leading to sober awareness campaigns like Dry January and Sober October.

Dr. Cork says taking a break from alcohol, even for a brief period, can significantly improve your health. It can also help you understand your habits and choices better. “Cutting back on alcohol can enhance sleep, increase energy, improve mood, support better digestion and can dramatically aid in weight loss,” he says.

For some people, it may take more than a month to see the benefits of sobriety. This is especially true for regular drinkers. More time helps with better recovery and lasting health benefits.

The connection between alcohol and cancer is widely recognized in scientific research and is considered more firmly established than the link between alcohol and heart disease.

Reflecting this consensus, then-Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy in January issued an advisory warning of alcohol's role in increasing cancer risks. He recommended updating warning labels on alcoholic beverages to better inform consumers of these dangers.

However, any changes to warning labels on alcoholic beverages would require Congressional approval.

For some people, abstaining from alcohol is the safest choice. This includes:

• Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, as alcohol can harm a developing fetus or be passed through breast milk.
• Those with a family history of alcohol use disorder, liver disease or certain cancers.
• Those taking medications, such as aspirin or blood thinners, that can interact negatively with alcohol.

The “sober curious” movement invites people to think about their relationship with alcohol. It encourages them to consider the benefits of drinking less or not at all. This approach promotes being mindful of drinking habits and highlights the positive effects of sobriety on both physical and mental health.

• Reflect on your drinking: Take time to think about why you drink and how it affects you both physically and mentally.
• Start with a break: If you drink frequently, consider taking a temporary break from alcohol to assess how you feel.
• Set limits: If you usually have a few drinks, try limiting yourself to one drink for a while.
• Explore alternatives: Experiment with non-alcoholic wines, beers or “mocktails” as substitutes for your usual drinks.
• Find support: Recruit a friend to join you in your sober journey for encouragement and accountability.
• Get professional help: If you have trouble cutting back, talk to your doctor. They can provide resources and support from alcohol treatment specialists.