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New research points to the fact that what other demographics might consider to be “moderate” drinking is actually damaging the hearts of the senior citizens.
Two or more drinks a day brings considerable harm to the seniors’ hearts, but even inside this demographic, men can hold their booze better than ladies. According to researchers, elderly women who drink as moderately as elderly men seem to experience more damage to the heart.
In general, moderate drinking is considered to be two drinks a day for men and just one drink per day for women.
Study chief Dr. Alexandra Gonçalves from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School explains that increased levels of alcohol intake in the elderly populations is linked to fine changes in the heart’s structure and function. Alcohol seems to take its toll harder on women, who are more susceptible to it than men.
More than 4,400 people participated in the study, with an average age of 76. Senior ladies drinking even in moderation, respecting the one daily drink they were “allowed,” presented a slight reduction in heart function.
The results of the research were published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging, which is owned by the American Heart Association. Based on previous research, some experts support the idea that light to moderate drinking could have the ability of protecting the heart against some types of cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Gregg Fonarow, for example, a cardiology professor at UCLA, made it clear there’s a difference between heavy intake of alcohol – which damages the heart and can result in heart failure – and light alcohol consumption – which is believed to lower the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
Dr. Gonçalves, however, suggests that the new research which points to the association between moderate alcohol intake and the alterations in the size, structure and function of the heart, is a potential red flag, at least in the case of the elderly.
She explained that in spite of the benefits low alcohol intake could have on our bodies, it is imperious that the senior population – especially elderly ladies – also considers the possible hazards that increased amounts of alcohol consumption can bring to the heart.
If anyone needed more evidence that drinking – as it is with all other things – should be measured and people should not overindulge. U.S. recommendations are in line with the findings of the study, urging those who drink to do so with moderation.
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