Study: Alcohol Helps After Heart Surgery
New research from Heidelberg University in Germany finds that moderate
alcohol consumption can reduce the narrowing of arteries in patients
who have had heart surgery, Reuters reported Sept. 14.
While previous studies have shown that drinking can lower the risk
of heart disease, this study suggests that moderate amounts of alcohol
may lower the risk of restenosis, or re-narrowing of the treated
artery. The disease occurs in 30 to 40 percent of patients in the
first four months following their heart surgery.
"Alcohol consumption in this patient population reduced the
incidence of restenosis," said lead study author Dr. Feraydoon
Niroomand, a cardiologist at the university. "This is the first
time this has been shown in patients."
For the study, researchers interviewed 225 male patients who had
balloon angioplasty to determine how much alcohol they drank in
the first few months following the procedure. The scientists found
that patients who drank no or little alcohol had more blocked arteries,
poorer cholesterol levels, and worse heart function than patients
who drank a bottle of wine or 2.5 liters of beer a week.
"There are data from experimental studies that show alcohol
reduces the proliferation of smooth muscle cells which constitute
the majority of the vessel wall and which are also responsible for
this re-narrowing," Niroomand said.
However, Niroomand said that the results should not encourage people
to start or increase their drinking.
The study's findings are published in the October 2004 issue of
the journal Heart.
Niroomand, F., Hauer, O., Tiefenbacher, C., Katus, H., & Kuebler,
W. (2004) Influence of alcohol consumption on restenosis rate after
percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stent implantation.
Heart, 90(10): 1189-1193.
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