Though excess alcohol may treat both normal people and heart patients same, this study by professionals from the University of California (UCSF) has revealed its effect on the latter. According to the team, patients of atrial fibrillation may be more prone to palpitations due to excess alcohol consumption.
As part of the trial, nearly 223 individuals suffering from cardiac arrhythmia were surveyed regarding the impact of alcohol consumption on their bodies. They were instructed to rate their symptoms on a 1 to 5 scale.
“One of the remaining big unknowns is why or how this happens. In a previous publication, we suggested that there was an effect on the electrical activity of the atrium that leads to these arrhythmias but we do need additional studies to prove that,†commented senior author Gregory Marcus, MD, assistant professor of medicine at the UCSF Division of Cardiology.
As per the outcomes, atrial fibrillation patients seemed to suffer substantially from alcohol-related palpitations. Other factors like age and background did not appear to have any influence on the results. Nevertheless, there are reports talking about the potential benefits of red wine in heart disease. The component called resveratrol is generally cited to do the trick.
Reported in the American Journal of Cardiology, the scientists disclosed that atrial fibrillation patients supposedly carried 4 and a half folds risk of encountering heart palpitations due to alcohol. The team warned that the risks associated with alcohol consumption cannot be overlooked, especially with regards to conditions like death or stroke. This risk factor may not be seen for patients who do not consume alcohol.