Wine Information Council
8 july 2025
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Alcohol Use and Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Alcohol is one of the most commonly consumed substances in the world, exhibiting complex relationships with multiple aspects of cardiovascular health and disease. The majority of the research on the topic is observational and therefore prone to bias and confounding. The available evidence suggests no risk to possible risk reduction when alcohol is consumed in low amounts (such as no more than 1 to 2 drinks a day) in regard to coronary artery disease, stroke, sudden death, and possibly heart failure. The risk associated with consuming 1 to 2 drinks a day on atrial fibrillation remains unknown. More randomized trials of low to moderate alcohol consumption are needed for more definitive conclusions. In stark contrast, heavier alcohol consumption such as binge drinking or consuming on average >/=3 drinks a day is consistently associated with worse outcomes in every cardiovascular disease entity studied. Considering the level of evidence, it remains unknown whether drinking is part of a healthy lifestyle and therefore clinicians should reinforce healthy lifestyle behaviors such as regularly engaging in physical activity, avoiding tobacco use, and maintaining healthy body weight.

Additional Info

  • Authors

    Piano M. R.; Marcus G. M.; Aycock D. M.; Buckman J.; Hwang C. L.; Larsson S. C.; Mukamal K. J.; Roerecke M.; on behalf the American Heart Association Council on Lifestyle; Cardiometabolic Health; Council on Cardiovascular; Stroke Nursing; Council on Clinical Cardiology; Stroke Council

  • Issue

    Periodical: Circulation - Volume: 152 - Number: 1 - Edition: 20250609

  • Published Date

    8 july 2025

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