Today, on the “ah, damn” news: taking a small dose of alcohol a day apparently increases the risk of developing irregular heartbeat, which can lead to dizziness, palpitations and maybe even stroke. Yes, wine team with dinner, that means you.
According to a recent report in the European Heart Journal, people who consumed only 12 grams of ethanol a day – a 12-ounce beer, a four-ounce glass of wine or 1.5 ounces of spirits – were 16% more likely to develop irregular heartbeat, or atrial fibrillation, during the study. The study examined the heart health and drinking habits of 108,000 people aged 24 to 97 over 14 years.
Does this deny the belief that a little drink protects against heart failure? Not exactly. According to the study, the risk of heart failure is generally lower for people who drink small amounts than for those who drink a lot or those who abstain completely. But the study showed that the risk of atrial fibrillation continually increased from 16% for those who took a small sip a day, to 28% for up to two drinks and 47% for more than four drinks a day.
An irregular heartbeat may not seem like the worst thing in the world, but it can have serious consequences. The Guardian reports that people with atrial fibrillation are believed to have a 5% to 7% annual risk of stroke. It is also important to note that alcohol consumption is not the only factor that contributes to an irregular heartbeat. In fact, the risk of your life to develop atrial fibrillation ranges from about 23% to 38% depending on your health and lifestyle. As with anything else, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of your drink at night, especially if you have pre-existing conditions that make heart problems more likely.