Like to binge-drink? It may be hurting your heart

The vast majority of individuals believe that binge drinking is safe and many even think that it is essential to having fun Others dont view alcohol as a narcotic and even think that binge drinking is beneficial to our hearts Alcohol consumption however is more harmful than beneficial and longterm excessive drinking puts the heart at greater danger and may raise your risk of developing alcoholic cardiomyopathyWhat is alcoholic cardiomyopathyAlcohol abuse frequently results in hypertension high blood pressure which weakens the heart muscles and impairs the hearts ability to pump blood effectively To accommodate more blood the heart enlarges and thins down which has an impact on how well the blood and heart muscles work Heart failure may arise from untreated hypertension if it is not addressed in a timely mannerWhen drinking alcohol for an extended period of time a condition known as cardiomyopathy which affects the hearts muscles can develop Longterm untreated cardiomyopathy increases the risk of congestive heart failure and can become potentially lethal It also increases the likelihood of irregular heartbeats Men are more likely to be diagnosed with this ailment than women are and it is typically detected in patients between the ages of 35 and 50Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a serious condition that can develop in people who have consumed large amounts of alcohol for five to fifteen years or longer Women who drink more than three drinks per day or seven drinks per week typically fall into the heavy drinking group and are more likely to develop alcoholic cardiomyopathy than males who consume more than 14 drinks per week or four drinks per dayWhat are the signs and symptomsWhile alcoholic cardiomyopathy does not show any signs or symptoms until it enters the advanced stage However patients who are in the advanced stage showcase the followings signs FatigueShortness of breath while resting or exertionSwelling of legs feet and anklesChanges in urineLoss of appetiteDifficulty in concentratingWeakness Dizziness Fainting and LightheadednessRapid PulsePink mucus discharge while coughing and coughing while lying downAbdominal bloating due to buildup of fluidPain in the chestWhat are the causes of cardiomyopathyThe causes of cardiomyopathy are often unknown but in some cases doctors can identify the possible factors that can cause cardiomyopathy which include Genetic conditionsIncreased heart rate and longterm blood pressureProblems in heart valvesDamage in heart tissue due to a previous attackHeavy Alcoholism and illicit drug useObesity thyroid and other disordersComplications in pregnancyWhat is the diagnosis of cardiomyopathyThe doctors will conduct the following tests to detect if you are suffering from cardiomyopathy Chest XRay test to detect the enlargement in the heartEchocardiogram to analyze the functioning of the heart valves In case this is not helping the doctor may also perform Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging MRIElectrocardiogram ECG to detect any blockages in the heart and abnormalities in heartbeatsTreadmill stress test is performed to check if exercise is aggravating abnormal heart rhythmsCardiac Catheterisation is performed to check if the heart is forcefully pumping the blood in the bodyCT scans are performed to assess the size and functioning of the heart and its valvesBlood tests are performed to assess the iron levels in the body and to check the thyroid kidney and liver functionTo check if the disease is congenital the doctors also perform a genetic test to check if the condition is hereditary in parents and siblingsWhat are the treatment options for cardiomyopathyThe treatment options for cardiomyopathy vary depending on the type and severity of the conditionIn cases of dilated cardiomyopathy the doctors may treat the condition by prescribing medications to improve heart function However if the condition turns severe then our doctor may recommend surgical implantsIn restrictive cardiomyopathy your doctor may prescribe medication to lower blood pressure and will recommend paying attention to high blood pressure levels monitoring salt and water intake and keeping a track of your body weightIn severe cases of cardiomyopathy your doctor will recommend Ventricular Assist Devices VADs or a heart transplantWhat measures can you adopt to keep alcoholic cardiomyopathy at bayThere are several steps that you can take to reduce your risk of alcoholic cardiomyopathyRestrict or practice complete abstinence from alcoholReduce or cut down on sodium intakeLimit your fluid intake to reduce the pressure on your heartGet ample exercise and if you have a heart condition or if you are a heart patient then you should avoid strenuous workoutAbstain from smokingLimit the intake of sugar saturated fats and processed foodsMaintain a healthy BMIHow much is too muchWhile some studies have defined binge drinking or occasional drinking good for health however avoiding alcohol is best It is not a wise idea to start drinking alcohol to reduce the risk of heart disease Instead one must find different alternatives like doing yoga etc that are beneficial for healthIn simpler terms drinking alcohol is just not worth it and its potential small benefits to our heart are outweighed by its increased risk of developing serious illnesses like cancer or liver diseases Therefore if you wish to live a long and healthy life then you should opt for safer ways like regular exercise a healthy diet etc to reduce the risk of developing heart diseaseDr Pradeep Kumar D Sr Consultant Interventional Cardiology Aster CMI Hospital BangaloreRead More Binge drinking All you need to know about the Holiday Heart Syndrome