Most of us like to get a little 'cool' when we get together with friends, at a party. That's normal. But did you know that when this fun goes beyond the limit, we can unknowingly cause great damage to our body's most valuable organ, the heart? Today we are talking about such a serious condition, but not many people know about it. That is a disease in which the heart muscle weakens and becomes sick due to excessive alcohol consumption.
Simply put, what is the harm that alcohol does to the heart?
This condition is medically known as Alcohol-Induced Cardiomyopathy . In Sinhala, it can simply be called "heart muscle disease caused by alcohol." What happens here is that when you drink alcohol excessively over a long period of time, the toxic chemicals in that alcohol damage your heart muscle.
Think of a rubber band. What happens if you keep stretching it? After a while, it loses its elasticity and becomes loose, doesn’t it? That’s what happens to our heart. The parts of the heart, especially the main chambers called the ventricles, gradually stretch and get bigger. As they get bigger, the heart muscle weakens. The weakened muscles can’t pump blood as well as they used to. As a result, the amount of oxygen that gets to the entire body starts to decrease.
Who is at risk?
This can happen to anyone who drinks too much alcohol. It's not just those with "alcohol use disorder." However, it's more common in those with alcohol use disorder and in people who are genetically predisposed to metabolizing alcohol more slowly.
This is not a very common condition. It affects only 1% to 2% of people who drink more than the recommended amount of alcohol. But if you are in that small percentage, the consequences can be serious.
What is 'binge drinking'?
When we say "drinking too much," it can be different for each person. But medically, we give it a clear definition.
- For women: Drinking more than 8 drinks per week.
- For men: Drinking more than 15 drinks per week.
Now you may be wondering, "What is this 'drink'?" It depends on the type of alcohol you are drinking.
| Alcohol type | One drink equivalent (approximate) |
|---|---|
| Beer (Beer - 5% alcohol) | About 350 ml (a regular can) |
| Wine (Wine - 12% alcohol) | About 150 ml (a standard wine glass) |
| Spirits - 40% alcohol | About 45 ml (one 'shot') |
The important thing is that even if you drink alcohol within these limits, it does not mean that you are not at risk for any health problems. It is always best for the heart to abstain from alcohol.
How does this condition affect the body?
This is a disease that belongs to the category of Dilated Cardiomyopathy , which means a disease in which the heart muscle becomes stretched and the heart becomes enlarged.
- Reduced pumping ability: The two lower chambers (chambers) of the heart do the main job of pumping blood. The right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs, and the left ventricle pumps blood to the rest of the body. When these muscles become weak, this pumping function is not done properly.
- Electrical system problems: Our heart beats using a system of electrical signals. As the shape of the heart changes, the pathways through which these electrical signals travel can become disrupted. This can cause the heart to beat irregularly. We call these arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). Sometimes these can even be life-threatening.
- Scar tissue formation: The toxic effects of alcohol can cause scar tissue to form in the heart muscle. This also disrupts the electrical activity of the heart.
Is this just a long-term problem?
No. Sometimes, even short-term problems can occur. There is a condition that occurs when you drink a large amount of alcohol at once. Some people call this "Holiday Heart Syndrome." This can happen when you party and drink too much during the holidays.
When a large amount of alcohol is consumed at once, the heart can beat very fast, unable to pump properly, and can even quiver. This is called fibrillation .
| Irregularity | What is happening and its risks |
|---|---|
| Atrial Fibrillation | The upper chambers of the heart (atria) do not pump properly and become weak. This can cause a blood clot to form inside. If this blood clot travels to the brain, it can cause a stroke . |
| Ventricular Fibrillation | The lower, main chambers (cells) of the heart begin to quiver. This is very dangerous. This can cause fainting, a heart attack, or even cardiac arrest. |
What are the symptoms of this disease?
Many symptoms occur because the heart is weak and unable to pump blood properly.
- Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing, especially when exercising, walking, or lying down for a while.
- Cough: A persistent dry cough may occur.
- Swelling (Edema): Legs, ankles, and feet swell.
- Fatigue and weakness: Feeling so tired that you can't do anything.
- Palpitations: Feeling your heart beating fast is an uncomfortable sensation.
- Chest pain: Especially when active.
- Dizziness and fainting: Feeling dizzy, possibly losing consciousness and falling.
- Bulging veins in the neck.
- Loss of appetite and muscle mass.
How to diagnose the disease?
Your doctor will look at several factors to diagnose this disease. It cannot be determined with just one test.
1. Your medical history and lifestyle: Your doctor will ask you about things like how much alcohol you drink and how long you've been drinking. It's important to be completely honest here.
2. Physical examination: The doctor will listen to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope and check for swelling in the legs.
3. Excluding other causes: There are other causes of an enlarged heart (e.g. genetic diseases, other medications). The doctor will first make sure that there is no other such cause.
For this, one or more of the following tests can be performed.
| Test | What do you see in this? |
|---|---|
| Echocardiogram ('Echo' test) | This is an ultrasound scan of the heart. The size, shape, thickness of the heart's muscles, and how it pumps blood can be clearly seen. |
| Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) | The electrical activity of the heart is checked. This can detect any irregularities in the heartbeat (arrhythmias). |
| Chest X-ray | You can check to see if the heart is enlarged or if fluid has accumulated in the lungs. |
| Cardiac CT or MRI scan | These can provide more detailed three-dimensional (3D) images of the heart and study the problem in more depth. |
What are the treatments? Can this be cured?
The good news is that this condition can often be reversed, but it requires a lot of commitment on your part.
The first and most important step in treatment is to stop drinking alcohol completely.
When you stop drinking alcohol, the damage to your heart gradually decreases, giving your heart a chance to recover. After about 3-6 months, most people will see a significant reduction in symptoms. Some people will recover completely.
Once you stop drinking alcohol, your doctor will prescribe medication to control your symptoms.
- Beta-blockers: Control heart rate and blood pressure.
- Diuretics: Remove unnecessary fluid (edema) that has accumulated in the body.
In some severe cases, it may be necessary to install a device such as a pacemaker to control the heart's rhythm or to undergo surgery to repair damaged heart valves.
Heart Transplant
The only way to cure this disease is a heart transplant. However, it is a very rare procedure. Because there are very few hearts available for transplant. Also, to get a heart transplant, the patient must completely abstain from alcohol .
How can you help yourself?
- Stop drinking alcohol: This is the best and most important thing you can do. If you can't stop, then reduce it to a minimum. But stopping completely is the best.
- Follow your doctor's instructions: Take the medicine your doctor prescribes exactly and at the right time. Be sure to attend clinics.
- A heart-healthy diet: Reduce foods high in salt and cholesterol. Eat more vegetables, fruits, legumes, and foods high in fiber.
- Vitamins and minerals: People who drink heavily may develop vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Therefore, it is very important to eat a balanced diet.
When should you see a doctor?
If you are a heavy drinker and have one or more of the symptoms listed above, you should definitely see a doctor. Seek medical advice immediately, especially if you have any of the following symptoms:
| When to seek medical advice | |
|---|---|
| See your doctor. |
|
| Go to the ETU (Emergency Treatment Unit) immediately. |
|
In conclusion, alcohol is a silent killer that can wreak havoc on our lives if consumed in excess. If you or someone you know has a problem like this, don't be afraid to ask for help. Your doctor is ready to help you and show you the right path. By quitting alcohol, you can regain your healthy life.
Take-Home Message
- Drinking alcohol excessively and for a long time can directly damage your heart muscle, weakening it and causing the heart to enlarge.
- Don't ignore symptoms like shortness of breath, swollen legs, extreme fatigue, and a fast heartbeat.
- The best and most important treatment for this disease is to completely stop drinking alcohol. In most cases, this can help the heart recover.
- If you are having difficulty quitting alcohol, seek medical advice and support.
- Always follow your doctor's instructions, take your medications as prescribed, and adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle.
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