Beneficial effect of moderate alcohol consumption on vascular disease: myth or reality?

Moderate ethanol consumption (1-3 drinks/day on 5-6 days/week) has a Favour able effect on vascular disease-related mortality and morbidity [especially ischaemic heart disease (IHD)]. This cardioprotective effect may be due to significant effects on cardiovascular risk factors such as high density ch olesterol (HDL) concentration (HDL protects from IHD) and an inhibition of platelet aggregation (increased platelet aggregability predicts coronary ev ents). In contrast, alcoholics and problem drinkers have an excess of IHD-related, and possibly stroke-related, mortality Excessive alcohol intake may raise the blood pressure. Prolonged alcohol abuse can also result in alcoholic he art muscle disease. Alcohol is the major cause of non-ischaemic cardiomyopa thy in Western society. Although there is a widespread belief that red wine protects more than othe r alcoholic beverages, several studies do not support this interpretation.