There is new evidence to support earlier reports that having one or two drinks a day may be good for your heart. In two articles published in the April 18 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers reported:

• Moderate alcohol consumption was associated with a decreased risk of experiencing heart failure among older adults, and
• People who had a heart attack were less likely to die if they were regular - light or moderate - drinkers in the previous year.

In the first report, researchers studying 2,235 elderly people (65 or older) found that as the amount of alcohol consumed increased, the risk of heart failure decreased. The lowest incidence was seen in those who consumed 21 to 70 oz per month (or a maximum of about 2 oz/day.)

In the second article, researchers analyzed alcohol use of 1,913 patients who had had a heart attack. They found fewer deaths among those who had had one drink every day or two during the year before their heart attack.

Scientists don't know why moderate alcohol use lowers the risk of heart disease. They think possible reasons may be that alcohol:

• Reduces the narrowing of the arteries caused by fatty depositions (atherosclerosis)
• Increases blood levels of the good cholesterol, HDL
• Reduces the risk of blood clots

The authors caution patients to discuss the risks of drinking alcohol with their doctor. Further, they recommend that people who do not now drink alcohol not start just because it may lower their risk of heart disease.

Related information About it: Eat heart healthy

Sources:

• Abramson JL, Williams SA, Krumholz HM, et al. Moderate alcohol consumption and risk of heart failure among older persons. JAMA 2001:285(15):1971-1977. (Abs.)
• Mukamal KJ, Maclure M, Muller JE, et al. Prior alcohol consumption and mortality following acute myocardial infarction. JAMA 2001:285(15):1965-1970. (Abs.)
• Pace B. Alcohol use and heart disease. Patient page. JAMA 2001;285(15):2040.