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Alcohol consumption and heart failure: A systematic review

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Abstract

Heart failure (HF) remains a major public health issue. It is estimated that about 500,000 Americans per year are diagnosed with HF. Despite advanced medical and surgical treatments for HF, mortality after the onset of HF is still high, thereby underscoring the importance of primary prevention. Among modifiable lifestyle factors, alcohol consumption appears to play a role in the development of HF. Although excessive drinking has been known to lead to alcoholic cardiomyopathy and light-to-moderate drinking may confer some cardiovascular benefits, recent studies suggest it is not only the quantity, but also drinking patterns and genetic factors, that may influence the relation between alcohol consumption and cardiovascular disease. This article reviews current evidence on the association between alcohol consumption and HF.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Aging, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 1620 Tremont Street, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA, 02120, USA

    Luc Djoussé

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  1. Luc Djoussé
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  2. J. Michael Gaziano
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Correspondence to Luc Djoussé.

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Djoussé, L., Gaziano, J.M. Alcohol consumption and heart failure: A systematic review. Curr Atheroscler Rep 10, 117–120 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-008-0017-z

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