Alcohol, Alcohol Use Disorder, and Heart Health: What to Know for Heart Month

February is American Heart Month, a time to focus on how everyday behaviors affect cardiovascular health. One topic that often causes confusion is alcohol. You may hear mixed messages: some say alcohol is heart-healthy, while others warn about serious risks. The truth is more nuanced.

This article explains how alcohol use and alcohol use disorder (AUD) intersect with heart health including what to know about stopping alcohol safely.

Alcohol and the Heart: A Complex Relationship 

Alcohol’s effects on the heart depend heavily on how much, how often, and how long someone drinks. 

Research consistently shows that heavy or binge drinking is harmful to cardiovascular health and is linked to conditions such as: 

• High blood pressure 

• Stroke 

• Cardiomyopathy (damage to the heart muscle) 

• Arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms) 

• Coronary artery disease and heart failure  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that drinking too much alcohol raises blood pressure and triglycerides, both major risk factors for heart disease.  

The American Heart Association is clear: alcohol should not be consumed for heart-health benefits. 
 

What About “Moderate Drinking”? 

For years, some studies suggested light drinking might protect the heart. However, newer research has clarified that this relationship is complicated. 

Observational studies have found that people who drink lightly sometimes appear to have lower rates of heart disease, but this may be because they often have other healthy lifestyle factors, such as better access to healthcare, healthier diets, and higher socioeconomic status.  

Today, experts emphasize: 

• If you don’t drink, don’t start for health reasons.  

• Even moderate drinking can carry risks compared with not drinking. 

 

Binge Drinking and “Holiday Heart Syndrome” 

Heavy drinking episodes can affect the heart immediately. 

A phenomenon called “holiday heart syndrome” occurs when binge drinking triggers irregular heart rhythms (especially atrial fibrillation).  

Research shows that people who consumed more than two drinks within four hours were over 3.5 times more likely to experience an atrial fibrillation episode.  

Even a single binge episode can temporarily disrupt the heart’s electrical system. 

 

Long-Term Heavy Drinking and Heart Damage 

Over time, heavy alcohol use can weaken the heart muscle, a condition called alcoholic cardiomyopathy, which can lead to heart failure.  

Excessive alcohol use is also associated with high blood pressure and stroke risk.  

These risks increase the longer and heavier a person drinks. 

 

What Happens When Someone Stops Drinking? 

Reducing or stopping alcohol can have real heart benefits. 

Research shows that people who stop drinking often experience improvements in blood pressure.  

However, one important (and often misunderstood) fact is this: 

Alcohol withdrawal can affect the heart 

For people who drink heavily or have alcohol use disorder, suddenly stopping alcohol can cause alcohol withdrawal, which can include: 

• Increased heart rate 

• Elevated blood pressure 

• Irregular heart rhythms 

In severe cases, withdrawal can become a medical emergency and affect the cardiovascular system. This is why medical guidance is recommended when stopping heavy alcohol use. 

This does not mean people shouldn’t stop drinking. 
It means they should stop safely and with support. 

Medical detox and clinical guidance help reduce risks and support long-term recovery. 

 

The Bottom Line 

Alcohol and heart health are deeply connected: 

• Heavy and binge drinking clearly harm the heart. 

• Any potential benefits of light drinking are uncertain and not recommended as a health strategy. 

• Reducing or stopping alcohol can improve cardiovascular health. 

• People who drink heavily should talk to a healthcare professional before stopping suddenly. 

The most heart-healthy approach is one that prioritizes informed choices, moderation or abstinence, and medical support when needed.