Alcohol is toxic to the heart. If you have heart failure, you should avoid alcohol completely. Excessive consumption of alcohol also leads to increased fluid accumulation, which puts extra strain on your heart (see section on Fluid Restriction). In addition, alcohol can interfere with how some of your medications work.
It is recommended that all patients with heart failure completely abstain from alcohol.
In some cases, excessive alcohol consumption may be the cause of heart failure, and abstinence from alcohol may result in normalization of the heart’s function.
If you think that alcohol is a problem for you, speak to your healthcare provider. He/she may be able to suggest resources to help you deal with this problem.
Take Home Messages
- Alcohol is toxic to the heart.
- If you have heart failure, you should avoid alcohol altogether.