What Is The Permissible Alcohol Limit For Cardiac Patients?

Posted on Thu, 10 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 10 Apr 2014 Answered on

Wed, 30 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I had a very successful quadraple CABG two years ago. I follow a very healthy lifestyle in terms of intense daily cardio (I run on the treadmill for an hour daily), eating very healthy (no oil, no milk products, choelstrol free food etc.). I just like to drink 2 times a week. And in each session I have either a bottle of wine or 4-5 drinks of Scotch. However I tend to burn it also, the next day. But my alcohol consumption plays on my mind. Should I cut it down. Although it also destreses me. Please advice.

Answered by Dr. Sukhvinder Singh (46 minutes later)

Brief Answer: You should restrict the consumption. Detailed Answer: Dear Sir The permissible limit prescribed in guidelines allow not more than 2 drinks for a man and not more than one drink for a woman on any given day. One drink is equal to 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof whisky. Hence your consumption on a given day exceeds the prescribe limit. You should cut down on your consumption. There is no point in stressing that you burn it out next day. It has no medical relevance. This limit is meant for reducing the consumption in those who are already drinking. It does not per say recommend anyone to start drinking alcohol, who is not taking it already. Ideally it should be avoided as it has potential habit forming properties. Sincerely Sukhvinder

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sukhvinder Singh (29 minutes later)

But will it have a serious impact on plaq formation in arteries or getting blockages... Doc, what I am trying to say is that i enjoy drinking wine every now and then. Having had sever blockages 3 years ago, will have 4-8 drinks a week fasten the process of blockages....Medically what effects will it have...

Answered by Dr. Sukhvinder Singh (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Please see below Detailed Answer: Dear Sir The relationship between alcohol and heart diseases is a complex one. There are studies demonstrating both harmful and beneficial effects of alcohol consumption on heart. We have to look at total effects on body and to see what international consensus is. Present day consensus says that drinking alcohol in prescribed limits (as I detailed above) may provide some protection against heart attack, however, exceeding this limit is harmful. The possible bad effects of excess alcohol consumption include increased risk of high blood pressure, heart failure, obesity, stroke, alcoholism, depression, certain type of cancers and accidents. In anginal heart disease, plaque formation or blockade is not the only thing, the tendency for plaque rupture and tendency of clot formation on these plaques is equally important which can be influenced by excessive alcohol consumption. It is in your best interest to limit consumption to prescribed limits only. Sincerely Sukhvinder

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar