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Excessive alcohol consumptionYou may have heard that alcohol particularly red wine is good for your heart, but drinking too much of any type of alcohol can increase your blood pressure and contribute to the development of heart disease and stroke. While there is some evidence that people who drink moderately have a somewhat lower risk of heart disease and stroke than those who do not drink or who drink excessively, if you really want to have an impact on your heart health youre better off eating a healthy diet, being physically active most days of the week and becoming smoke-free. If you drink alcohol, limit yourself to one or two standard drinks a day, to a weekly maximum of nine for women and 14 for men.* One drink equals:
Moderate your alcohol intake
* Guidelines do not apply if you have liver disease, mental illness; are taking certain medications; have a personal or family history of drinking problems or cancer, are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding, or are told not to drink for legal, medical or other reasons. If you are concerned about how drinking may affect your health, check with your doctor. |