Sudden cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack, which occurs when there is a blockage of blood flow to the heart. Instead, sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) occurs when an irregular heart rhythm leads to a loss of all heart activity. SCAs take the lives of over 436,000 Americans annually, making it among the most fatal health events in the country. According to a new study, drinking white wine and champagne may lower your risk of suffering a sudden cardiac arrest.
The study also identified a further 55 modifiable factors linked to SCA. Published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, the modifiable factors were identified after analyzing the health data of over 500,000 individuals living in the UK. The study has revealed how making a few lifestyle changes could help prevent sudden cardiac arrest. While the effects of red wine on health are better understood, this new study sheds further light on the link between alcohol and heart health.
The Link Between Alcohol and Heart Health
The researchers examined hundreds of environmental and lifestyle factors without making any pre-set assumptions. They then used a method called Mendelian randomization to double-check their findings. The researchers found that consuming a moderate amount og white wine or champagne could actually lower your risk of suffering a sudden cardiac arrest. They also found that consuming fruit regularly and using a computer had protective effects. The reason that computer use was considered a factor is because of cognitive engagement. It is also thought that computer use may reflect a higher education.
According to the researchers, around 40% to 63% of SCAs could potentially be prevented if certain modifiable risk factors were addressed and improved. The risk factors associated with SCAs are sedentary lifestyle, poor sleep hygiene, greater arm fat ass, and low education levels. They also found that high systolic blood pressure and low mood were significant factors. However, certain healthy behaviors, such as engaging in mentally stimulating activities and eating more fruit, were linked to a lower risk. They concluded that the most practical and impactful methods of prevention were making better lifestyle choices.
Mixed Signals
This study highlighted some benefits associated with the consumption of alcohol and heart health. However, it comes at a time when there is a larger debate occurring regarding the risks and benefits associated with alcohol use. For example, the U.S. Surgeon General recently warned that any consumption of alcohol increases your risk of developing cancer. However, recent studies have indicated that drinking alcohol in moderation may actually benefit brain health and social connection.
Considering that these are both factors in overall heart health, it is something that requires more examination. Yet, cardiologists warn that even drinking moderately can cause heart problems over time, such as raising blood pressure. Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to serious conditions such as alcoholic cardiomyopathy. This condition causes a weakening of the heart muscle that can prove fatal. So, while certain wines may benefit your heart, moderation is always the key. There were certain limitations to the study, though. For example, no differentiation was made between in-hospital and out-of-hospital SCAs.
The study’s findings were also largely based on middle-aged white adults living in the UK. More research would need to be conducted to find out how these findings apply to a larger and more diverse population sample. Furthermore, while moderate consumption of champagne and white wine may provide some protective effect, the link between alcohol and heart health is very complex. That means that drinking alcohol for its health benefits is far from risk-free. For many people, it could create more issues than it addresses.
Read More: 5 Common Food and Drinks That Can Be Just as Bad for Your Liver as Alcohol
