Even minimal amounts of alcohol proved to be hazardous to health

Researchers have dispelled the myth that the minimum amounts of alcohol have a beneficial effect on the heart. As it turned out, even moderate drinking increases the risk of atrial fibrillation.

From the findings of researchers can be found in the Journal of the American Heart Association, and provided an overview of the American Heart Association. The focus of the experts proved the impact that alcohol has on the heart. Scientists have discovered that the popular thesis about the use of moderate doses of alcohol does not correspond to reality.

Total scientists analyzed the figures 5220, of whom 54% were women, whose average age was equal to 56 years. By electrocardiographic examinations scientists found particularly of the heart of the experiment participants. Total for six years was carried out more than 17 thousand. Such surveys, and 1088 of them are volunteers revealed cases of atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a type of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias with chaotic electrical activity of the atria with a pulse frequency of 350-700 per minute. This eliminates the possibility of a coordinated contraction. AF is the most common form of arrhythmia.

The survey showed that people consume daily 10 grams of alcohol, was 5% higher chance of getting atrial fibrillation than those who do not drink at all. An additional 10 grams of alcoholic beverages that are used every day, cause dilation of the left atrium by 0.16 mm.

Scientists themselves have offered to maintain normal heart function is simple and intuitive solution: reduce the use of alcohol or abandon it altogether.


Previously, we recall, a similar conclusion was reached by another group of researchers. Researchers found that even two small glasses of wine a day have a negative impact on human health, and complete abstinence from alcohol significantly improves the cardiovascular system. In turn, British doctors conducted a large study concluded that moderate doses of alcohol does not improve the state of health of the elderly.