How Does Alcohol Affect the Heart?

Blood Pressure and Alcohol
Alcohol has serious effects on the body and a particular impact on high blood pressure. In a healthy individual, the heart functions by pumping blood through the body through the arteries out to the muscles and organs. When an excessive amount of alcohol is consumed, the heart has to pump at increased amount to get the organs to function normally. Since the heart is pumping at an accelerated pace, it generates pressure quickly, forcing its way through the arteries. When there is too much pressure, blood pressure rises and can cause the arteries to strain or rupture. This can eventually lead to heart failure under the increased strain. Additionally, alcohol can interfere with the effectiveness of certain blood pressure medications, which can eventually raise blood pressure.

Heart Disease
Excessive consumption of alcohol contributes to the production of fats in the blood called triglycerides. Over time, these fats acclimate around the arteries of the heart and cause heart problems such as abnormal rhythms, chest pain and symptoms of heart failure. If left untreated, heart problems can eventually lead to heart disease. The overall outlook for someone with heart disease is not good, eventually leading to death, unless drinking is completely stopped.

Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy
The long-term effects of alcohol on the heart can lead to alcoholic cardiomyopathy. Commonly seen in males between the ages of 35 and 50, this disease weakens the heart muscle so that it cannot pump blood efficiently. As a direct effect of alcohol on the heart muscle, the heart can eventually fail, and it can affect other parts of the body.

Positive Effects of Alcohol on the Heart
Although correlated with heart problems, it is believed that moderate amounts of alcohol can be beneficial to the heart by protecting against heart disease. Consuming moderate amounts can raise good HDL cholesterol and reduce plaque that accumulates in the arteries. Additionally, alcohol also has a mild anti-coagulating effect, which prevents clumping in the platelets so they do not form clots. For any benefits on the heart, individuals should monitor their consumption of alcohol to two drinks per day for men and one a drink day for women.

Heart Disease And Back Pain Symptoms

Being able to recognize the signs and symptoms of heart disease, heart attack and stroke can save your life. While chest pain is automatically associated with heart disease, there are other signs and symptoms that are less common, but no less serious. Sometimes one warning sign of heart disease can be back pain.

Typical Heart Disease Symptoms
Chest pain or tightness is the most common symptom for a heart attack in both women and men. However, woman are more likely then men to have back pain in addition to, or in place of chest pain.

Considerations
Studies published in the British Medical Journal have found an association between back pain and heart disease. Back pain may be the result of atherosclerosis in arteries in the lower back. See the link below.

Other Heart Conditions
Pain in the middle of the back could be from an aortic aneurysm. In this situation the aneurysm occurs in the part of the aorta that passes through the chest.

Other Causes of Back Pain
You may experience pain in the back if you have inflammation or infection in the wall or lining of the heart muscle. This includes conditions such as pericarditis or endocarditis.

Pain Receptors
Whenever there is any kind of injury to the body, your body relays this to your brain through the use of pain receptors that are located as closely to the area as possible. When your heart muscle is injured pain receptors in the back may be activated to respond.

How to Treat Heart Disease

Prevention is the best way to treat heart disease. Heart disease includes many conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels around it, including heart failure, angina, heart attack and heart arrhythmias. If diagnosed with these problems, there are steps to take to eliminate heart disease or reduce the risks it presents.

Things You'll Need

• Exercise
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Whole grains
• Unsaturated fats
• Fat-free dairy
• Medication
• Education

Tips

1. Exercise. Regular exercise--30 minutes three to five days a week--is crucial to preventing and treating heart disease. Cardiovascular exercise such as biking, jogging, walking and swimming exercise the heart and help maintain a healthy body weight, which is good for heart health.

2. Eat fruit. Fruits are rich in fiber and antioxidants, which help lower cholesterol and fight heart disease. Antioxidant-rich fruits include citrus, blueberries and strawberries, which are bright in color.

3. Eat vegetables. Also high in fiber and antioxidants, vegetables like spinach, broccoli and sweet potatoes can lower cholesterol and decrease blood pressure. High cholesterol and blood pressure can lead to heart attack.

4. Eat whole grains. They are an excellent source of fiber, which lowers cholesterol and blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart attack. Whole grain foods include whole wheat breads and pastas, and popcorn.

5. Consume unsaturated fat. Not all fat is bad fat. Unsaturated fats found olive oil, nuts, avocados and fish help lower the unhealthy LDL cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease.

6. Consume fat-free or low-fat dairy products. Dairy is a great source of nutrients, such as calcium, protein and vitamin D. It's also high in fat, which can lead to heart disease. Instead, choose low-fat or fat-free dairy products.

7. Consult a physician for medication. Even with increased exercise and a healthy diet, some people may still need medication to treat heart disease. These may include aspirin, beta-blockers or statin drugs. Medication can prevent the need for heart surgery.

8. Know the risk factors. Many heart disease risks are controllable and being aware of this can prevent heart disease or treat it. Quitting smoking, losing weight and increasing physical activity can prevent heart disease.

Heart Disease Signs in Women

Heart disease is the number one killer of women over 40. In fact one woman in every four dies of heart disease. Therefore it behooves all women to learn about the signs of heart disease and not to ignore symptoms if they should occur. There are also things that you can do to prevent heart disease. Take steps today to lower your risk.

History
In 1991, Dr. Lenfant cited that there are a number of important differences in heart disease between women and men. In 1993, cardiologists said that women's hearts are different from men's hearts. In 2000, doctors realized that family history does play a part in heart disease in women, and doctors realized in 2004 that women and men share similar risk factors for heart disease. Even today women are less likely than men to get treatment for heart disease.

Types
There are several types of heart disease women can get. The most common type is coronary artery disease. If ignored, a myocardial infarction, heart attack, is likely to occur. Atrial Fibrillation is the most common kind of heart problem that causes an irregular heart beat. Mitral valve prolapse, enlargement, is a heart valve disease that affects six percent of women. Three times more women than men have mitral valve stenosis, which is a narrowing of the mitral valve. Cardiomyopathy, or heart muscle disease, is a type of progressive heart disease found in some women. Any of these heart diseases can lead to heart failure.

Classic Symptoms
There are some symptoms of heart disease that are common in both men and women. One such symptom is pressure or pain in the chest called angina, the most common symptom of heart disease. Another symptom is shortness of breath, especially after exercise or exertion. Other signs are an irregular heart beat, a rapid heart beat, weakness or dizziness, and excessive sweating. The problem is that all these symptoms can be the result of other things, so people tend to ignore them.

Signs More Common in Women
Women's heart disease symptoms are often subtle. Many women never experience chest pain. Women usually develop heart disease about ten years later than men. Unexplained fatigue seems to be a common symptom. Having cold sweats, pain or discomfort in one or both arms, a burning sensation in the chest or upper abdomen, nausea and sense of impending doom are signs of heart disease in women.

African American Women
According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, African American women are less likely to be diagnosed with heart disease, but they are more likely to die from heart disease. This is because African American women are more likely to develop heart disease as a complication of other health problems. They may be subject to poorer health care, poverty and language obstacles. As heart disease develops, African American women have more intense and frequent headaches, vision problems and difficulty breathing when lying down.

Risk Factors
Most risk factors are shared by both men and women. Therefore if you smoke, have high blood pressure, high total cholesterol over 200 mg/dl, have a family history of heart disease, have diabetes, are overweight or are physically inactive, you are at risk of developing heart disease. Women who are menopausal because of estrogen loss are at an increased risk of getting heart disease.

Prevention/Solution
The number one thing you can do to lower your risk of heart disease if you are a woman is to avoid or quit smoking. Almost as important is to take care of your other health problems. Lose weight if you are overweight. Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fish. Eating healthy will reduce your risk of heart disease signs no matter what your weight is. Exercise, at least 30 minutes three times a week, will help you lose weight and keep your heart healthy.