Abstract
Moderate alcohol use (two or fewer drinks daily) may offer some degree of protection from coronary artery disease and stroke. Any potential benefit must be weighed against an individual's risk profile for alcohol abuse or dependence and the associated health and social consequences. Health costs of alcohol abuse are well into the billions. Heavy alcohol consumption is associated with cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, hypertension, stroke, and sudden death. Alcohol is the major cause of nonischemic cardiomyopathy in the Western world. In any health care setting, education about the potential risks and benefits of alcohol use must be provided with health promotion and maintenance strategies tailored to the individual.
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