Heart Surgeon Explains How Alcohol Affects The Heart Weakens Cardiac Muscles Increases Blood Pressure Heart Att

According to Dr London, the liver breaks down alcohol into a chemical compound called acetaldehyde, which is toxic to every cell in the body.

In his words, “How does alcohol affect the heart? Well, understand that alcohol is broken down in the liver to acetaldehyde, which is toxic to every cell in the body. But it affects the heart really in three ways.”

The first way is by impacting the mitochondria, which are popularly known as the powerhouse of the cells. “It impacts calcium metabolism, and it can directly affect the structure of the proteins of the heart muscle itself,” noted Dr London.

This effect is dose-dependent and also cumulative, shared the cardiac surgeon. Therefore, the damage done shows up over time.

Alcohol also makes blood pressure go up. As per Dr London, “The more you drink, the more it climbs. The heart’s rhythm is disrupted. For every added daily drink, there's an increased risk of around 10 percent for atrial fibrillation.”

“And finally, it can actually weaken and dilate the heart. And a baggy heart is a weak heart,” pointed out Dr London. As per the surgeon, alcohol is the culprit in up to a third of heart failure cases that are not caused by blocked arteries.

While considering the damage that alcohol consumption does to the heart, the good news to keep in mind is that the effects of the substance are reversible.

“Cut back, blood pressure comes down, heart rhythm stabilises, and even a weakened heart can recover,” shared Dr London.

“This isn't judgment. It's just data so that you can make solid, thoughtful decisions for yourself,” he added.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.

Debapriya Bhattacharya is a Content Producer at Hindustan Times. He started his career in 2022, working in newsrooms in beats like education, US news, trending stories, and entertainment. In his new role in the lifestyle desk, he seeks to deliver a balanced blend of research-driven reporting and creative storytelling from health and recipes to art and culture. Science, philosophy, food and pop culture are what pump his veins and help bring heart to his stories. Debapriya tries to see out subjects that will allow him and readers to explore new frontiers and improve the quality of life for all. The explorations can be both external and internal, as thoughts seek to be as chaotic as the greater universe. As a citizen of the world, Debapriya has been fascinated by the lives of people across the globe throughout time. His curiosity leads him to explore new linguistic and cultural landscapes to broaden his horizons and deepen his understanding of global narratives. Beyond the newsroom, Debapriya loves to participate in debate and theatre, spaces that he considers to be holy grounds for nuance and self-expression. A graduate from Ashutosh College, University of Calcutta, Debapriya completed his Master's degree from the same university in 2022. An ambiverted bibliophile, he loves his solitude as much as he adores stimulating conversations. And despite his reverence for tech, libraries continue to be his favourite place for research.Read More