title: [Alcohol and the heart].
abstract: Alcohol, above certain levels in blood, becomes a depressor of myocardial fiber. Excessive intake of alcoholic drinks is responsible for disrhythmias, congestive heart failure, thromboembolic phenomena and, sometimes, sudden death. Dilated cardiomyopathy is the usual clinical presentation of these patients. More than 60 gr daily of ethanol may be an important factor in the etiology of high blood pressure. Yet, not everything is negative as far as alcohol and heart are concerned. Moderate consumption of ethanol decrease the risk of coronary heart disease, but, regarding the medical and social implications of alcoholic habits, they shall not be encouraged. Finally, it must be emphasized that in cases of disrhythmias, hypertension and deteriorated left ventricular function (ejection fraction below 35%) the use of alcoholic beverages must strongly discouraged. The same applies to patients taking anticoagulants or sedative drugs.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Lopes
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications*; D002310:Cardiomyopathy, Alcoholic / Q000209:etiology; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology
vernacular_title: Alcool e coração.