A Step-by-Step Guide to Your First Cardiologist Appointment
May 25, 2022
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March 4, 2025
Let’s talk about something we often brush under the rug—alcohol and its impact on your heart. We all know a glass of wine or a celebratory toast feels harmless, but have you ever wondered how drinking really affects your heart health? And what about smoking? If you enjoy both, you might be doubling the trouble without even realizing it.
Drinking and smoking are common habits that many people indulge in, sometimes without realizing the long-term consequences. While social drinking and occasional smoking might seem harmless, regular and excessive use can significantly increase the risk of heart disease. Your heart, which tirelessly pumps blood to keep you alive, is greatly affected by these habits.
The more frequently you drink alcohol and smoke, the more you put stress on your cardiovascular system. But don’t worry—understanding the risks is the first step to making better choices for your health. Let’s break it down so you know exactly what’s happening to your heart.
You might have heard that a little bit of alcohol—especially red wine—is good for your heart. While there’s some truth to that, excessive drinking can lead to severe heart problems. The occasional drink might not send you to the ER, but if alcohol becomes a regular guest in your life, your heart might not be so happy about it.
Heavy drinking can cause alcoholic cardiomyopathy, a condition where your heart weakens and struggles to pump blood efficiently. Over time, this can lead to heart failure, a serious condition that impacts your daily life and overall health. Additionally, frequent alcohol consumption can contribute to conditions like hypertension (high blood pressure), which is one of the leading causes of heart disease worldwide.
If you’re wondering how alcohol messes with your heart, here’s the breakdown:
Alcohol can increase your blood pressure, putting extra strain on your heart. Elevated blood pressure increases your risk of stroke and heart attack over time.
Have you ever experienced chest pain after drinking alcohol? That’s because alcohol can trigger arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), which can be dangerous and even life-threatening.
A major concern is whether does smoking increase cholesterol? The combination of alcohol and smoking can significantly raise cholesterol, clogging arteries and increasing heart disease risk.
There’s a real concern around can alcohol cause heart attack? Excessive drinking weakens the heart muscles and increases the likelihood of heart attacks.
A major risk factor for ischemic strokes is alcohol, which occurs due to the occlusion of blood supply to the brain. Smoking further compounds this risk by coagulating the blood with the greater chance of clots forming.
Among other things, the leading causes of alcohol-related heart disease include:
Your body always gives you warning signs—if you’re willing to listen. Here’s what to look out for:
If you’re experiencing these, it’s time to reconsider your drinking habits and get a checkup.
Doctors will typically run a series of tests, including ECGs, blood tests, and heart scans, to assess your heart health. If you’ve been a regular drinker for years, it’s a good idea to get checked, even if you don’t have obvious symptoms. Early detection can make a huge difference in managing and preventing further damage.
If you drink and smoke, it’s like adding fuel to the fire. Why is smoking injurious to health? It damages blood vessels, reduces oxygen supply, and increases the risk of blood clots. Even if you think smoking one cigarette a day isn’t a big deal, studies show that it still significantly raises heart disease risk.
Additionally, smoking decreases the levels of good cholesterol (HDL) in your body while increasing bad cholesterol (LDL), leading to plaque buildup in arteries. This makes it much harder for your heart to function efficiently, putting you at risk for serious cardiovascular events.
Short-term effects of smoking and drinking include dehydration, headaches, and an increased heart rate. Over time, these habits can lead to chronic conditions like high blood pressure, heart attacks, and stroke. One can suffer liver disease, nerve damage, and loss of memory due to chronic alcoholism.
Reducing lung function and causing chronic bronchitis and an increased risk of cancer are part of the contributions made by long-term smoking. Combining such effects with alcohol can bear a very unfathomable impact on one’s quality of life or lifespan.
Your heart is your lifeline; therefore, be kind to it at all times. By reducing alcohol and quitting smoking, you can make a drastic improvement to the heart and life in general. If you have been experiencing alarm bells of any kind, do not put off seeking medical advice and taking control of your health. Your heart will be grateful!
Bear in mind that cutting down on alcohol and smoking, even a little, makes a big difference. Your future self will thank you for it!
Your heart deserves expert care. Whether you're experiencing chest pain, high blood pressure, or simply want to prevent heart disease, Dr. Manjinder Sandhu is here to guide you. Take charge of your heart health today—schedule a consultation and get personalized, expert advice to keep your heart strong and healthy.
