Prior Alcohol Consumption and Mortality Following Acute Myocardial Infarction

Abstract
In the general population, individuals who have 1 alcoholic drink every 1 to 2 days have lower rates of nonfatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and coronary mortality compared with abstainers and heavier drinkers.1,2 Studies in patients with hypertension or diabetes also show a U-shaped relationship between alcohol consumption and coronary heart disease (CHD).3,4 However, the effect of drinking in patients with documented CHD is less certain.