Moderate consumption of alcohol not harmful for elderly patients with heart failure

New York: A new study suggests that people over 65 years of age with newly diagnosed heart failure may continue to consume moderately alcohol without worsening their condition. The study showed an association between moderate consumption of alcohol – seven drinks a week or less – and a prolonged survival of just over a year compared to those who were abstained from consuming alcohol.

However, the findings do not suggest that non-drinkers should begin to soak this after a diagnosis of heart failure, the researchers pointed out. "We have long known that the toxic effects of excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to heart failure." However, we have data showing that healthy people who drink moderately seem to benefit of some protection against heart failure in the long run, compared to people who do not consume it. drink at all, "said lead author David L. Brown, a professor at the School of Medicine at the University of Washington in the United States.

However, people who develop heart failure in old age and who never drink should not start drinking, suggested the team in an article published in the journal JAMA Network Open.

Conversely, people who have drunk daily or two before receiving their diagnosis of heart failure can continue to do so without fear that it will cause them any harmful effects. However, a decision must always be made in consultation with their doctors, noted the researchers. For the study, researchers included 5,888 adults.