Excessive alcohol consumption, even in young and fit individuals, can cause significant damage to the heart, according to a recent study by German researchers. The study examined the impact of alcohol on heart rate and rhythm, finding that even moderate drinking can lead to arrhythmia, a potentially dangerous condition characterized by an irregular heartbeat.
Researchers studied 200 young men and women who regularly consume two to three alcoholic drinks in social settings. Participants had peak blood alcohol levels of up to 0.25 percent during the study, which can cause symptoms such as numbness, confusion, and nausea. Alcohol poisoning typically occurs at a blood alcohol level of 0.35 percent.
The scientists monitored the participants’ heart rates before, during, and after alcohol consumption. They found that as participants drank, their heart rates increased to over 100 beats per minute. A normal resting heart rate ranges between 60 and 100 beats per minute, according to Britain’s National Health Service (NHS). Alarmingly, 5 percent of participants experienced significant arrhythmia, mostly during the recovery phase after drinking.
The study’s lead researcher, Moritz Sinner, a cardiologist based in Munich, emphasized that the results provide clear evidence of the harmful effects of acute alcohol consumption on heart health. While the immediate effects of alcohol on heart rate are evident, the long-term impact of alcohol-induced arrhythmia remains unclear. The findings were published in the European Heart Journal.
In addition to this study, previous research from Hamburg University’s heart and vascular center found that even small amounts of alcohol can trigger atrial fibrillation, a specific type of arrhythmia, in healthy individuals with no prior heart conditions. Atrial fibrillation is characterized by an irregular and often rapid heartbeat, which can increase the risk of stroke and other heart-related complications, according to the UK’s NHS.
These studies highlight the importance of limiting alcohol intake to protect heart health, even for young and otherwise healthy people. While moderate drinking is often considered acceptable, these findings suggest that even small amounts of alcohol can have negative effects on the heart’s rhythm and overall function.
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