Impact of Inflammation on the Relationship Among Alcohol Consumption, Mortality, and Cardiac Events

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Several studies suggest that light to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a reduced mortality rate.1-3 This survival benefit has been attributed to the reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), primarily owing to the protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption on coronary heart disease (CHD).2-4 Moreover, recent studies suggest that moderate alcohol intake is also associated with a decreased risk of heart failure (HF).5 On the other hand, alcohol can substantially increase the incidence of severe chronic diseases,6,7 and uncertainty remains about the overall survival benefit of alcohol consumption.8,9 In addition, the net balance between risk and benefit is likely to vary as a function of age, sex, and background cardiovascular risk, with greater benefit seen among subjects at increased CVD risk.3,10