Man experiencing chest pain sitting on a sofa in a home settingAlcohol affects a person’s mood, emotions, and behavior and makes the brain release dopamine, which causes a pleasurable feeling. Alcohol consumption affects the brain and its ability to control the individual’s behavior, thinking, motion, and speech and has deadly affects on the heart.

Drinking heavily can lead to heart disease, heart attack, or stroke. The amount of alcohol is not the only factor for developing heart disease. Drinking patterns and genetics also heighten the risk. Drinking too much alcohol weakens the heart and triggers an irregular heart rate. Long-term excessive drinking increases the risk of heart problems. A person who drinks regularly might not feel the same effects of the alcohol. This means he or she has developed a tolerance, which results in drinking more to achieve the same pleasurable feeling.

Binge drinking is bad for the heart and can produce arrhythmia. After that, there is an increased risk of it occurring again. An irregular heartbeat and increase in blood pressure raises the risk of heart attack and death.

Drinking alcohol causes weight gain. Most alcoholic drinks are high in calories and contain a lot of sugar. The increase in weight puts a strain on the heart, forcing it to work harder to pump blood throughout the body. The added weight increases risks of having a heart attack, stroke, and diabetes.

Consuming alcohol increases blood pressure, which puts a person at high risk for having a heart attack or stroke. When the heart muscle is weak, it cannot effectively pump blood. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a common diagnosis in long-term alcoholics. This heart disease can cause the heart enlargement, heart failure, and early death.

When a person stops drinking alcohol, his or her heart muscles strengthen and gradually improve. Alcoholism is a treatable disease. When a person stops drinking alcohol, his or her heart can begin to heal and the risk of heart problems lessens.

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, get help today. Recovery is possible. Do not suffer alone.

Cypress Lake Recovery specializes in addiction treatment and is located in a serene, remote, lush-green, oxygen enriched environment. The program encompasses holistic addiction therapy and offers yoga and meditation for the mind, body, and soul. The focus is on physical, mental, and emotional well-being by generating the balance of life-enriching treatment, wellness, and healthy, sober, sustainable relationships. Call us to get started: 409-331-2204