Alcohol and Risk for Heart Failure

Summaries for Patients are a service provided by Annals to help patients better understand the complicated and often mystifying language of modern medicine.

Summaries for Patients are presented for informational purposes only. These summaries are not a substitute for advice from your own medical provider. If you have questions about this material, or need medical advice about your own health or situation, please contact your physician. The summaries may be reproduced for not-for-profit educational purposes only. Any other uses must be approved by the American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine.

What is the problem and what is known about it so far?

Drinking alcohol regularly and heavily for many years can weaken the muscle walls of the heart. The weakened muscles then stretch, which causes the heart to become larger. A large, weakened heart cannot pump blood through the body normally. …

« Previous | Next Article »Table of Contents