How Drinking Can Affect the Health of Your Heart
While many people know that alcohol can affect your liver and your blood pressure, many do not realize the toll it can take on your heart. According to Healthline, “alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a form of heart disease caused by alcohol abuse.” Over time excessive alcohol consumption can “weaken and thin” the heart muscle making it more difficult for it to pump blood effectively.
Alcoholic cardiomyopathy can be life-threatening, affecting your heart’s ability to function normally. Unfortunately, some people may be unable to detect the effect of alcohol on the heart until they are in heart failure, as noted by Healthline. Without treatment, the condition could develop into congenital heart failure.
It is important to seek medical treatment if you binge drink or engage in excessive drinking. Heavy alcohol use can affect nearly every part of your body and can be fatal if not treated by a medical professional. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is caused by excessive alcohol intake over a long-term period of time. Sobriety is key in treating the effects of alcoholic cardiomyopathy, but you need to consult a professional before stopping abruptly to decrease the chances of severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
If you are unable to stop drinking, you need to seek treatment for alcohol use disorder immediately. In addition to committing to a sober lifestyle, a doctor treating you for alcoholic cardiomyopathy may suggest a change in diet and medication. In severe, instances you may require heart surgery. Seeking treatment as early as possible can give you better chances at long-term recovery.