Alcohol-Induced Cardiomyopathy: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

As a result, the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively is impaired, leading to a progressive decline in cardiac function. Unlike other forms of cardiomyopathy, alcoholic cardiomyopathy is directly attributed to chronic, heavy alcohol intake over a span of years. Another differential diagnosis includes myocarditis which is an inflammation-induced cardiomyopathy often caused by viral infections or an autoimmune response. To manage and treat alcoholic cardiomyopathy, the most critical step is complete abstinence from alcohol. This has been shown to improve heart function and overall prognosis, especially in individuals with early-stage disease or before the onset of severe myocardial fibrosis. Other treatment options may include medications and lifestyle modifications to support heart health.

• This means the heart is less able to pump blood around the body, causing a decrease in oxygen flowing through.
• If the disease has led to secondary heart failure, additional treatment will be needed to manage symptoms and related complications.
• Ethanol is one of the most addictive drugs for humans, with high physical and psychological addiction potential 7.
• In the second study, Gavazzi led a multicentre study in which, from 1986 to 1995, 79 patients with ACM and 259 patients with DCM were recruited10.

Patients who consume more Alcoholics Anonymous than two drinks per day have a 1.5- to 2-fold increase in hypertension compared with persons who do not drink alcohol, and this effect is most prominent when the daily intake of alcohol exceeds five drinks. Because hypertension may directly contribute to LV dysfunction, this may be a confounding comorbidity in persons who abuse alcohol, and it should be differentiated from pure forms of alcoholic cardiomyopathy. Doctors may ask about your alcohol history and perform blood tests, including liver function tests, to detect alcohol-related damage.

Treatment Options for Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy (Alcohol-related Heart Damage)

Other tests like ECG and chest x-ray can show irregular heartbeats, heart damage, and fluid buildup. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is confirmed with an echocardiogram, which shows a larger-than-normal heart and reduced ability to pump blood. Askanas et al21 found a significant increase in the myocardial mass and of the pre-ejection periods in drinkers of over 12 oz of whisky (approximately 120 g of alcohol) compared to a control group of non-drinkers. However, no differences were found in these parameters between the sub-group of individuals who had been drinking for 5 to 14 years and the sub-group of individuals who had a drinking history of over 15 years.

6. Cardiac Hypertrophy and Remodeling in ACM

However, these promising treatments are still being researched and aren’t available yet. The condition’s death rates are higher in males than in females and are more prevalent among black individuals compared to the white population. Other factors, like genetics, exposure to heart-damaging substances, or deficiencies in essential minerals like thiamine, also impact the rate at which alcoholic cardiomyopathy progresses. This condition is most often seen in men aged 30 to 55 who have a significant history of alcohol use of over 10 years.

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a severe condition where excessive alcohol consumption leads to the weakening of the heart muscle, impacting its ability to pump blood effectively. Fortunately, with appropriate interventions and lifestyle changes, it is possible to reverse the damage and improve heart function. This article delves into the strategies and treatments that can help reverse alcoholic cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy is a heart condition that causes malfunctioning of the cardiac muscle called the myocardium, because of the stiffening and the expansion of the heart. The cardiovascular changes will eventually lead to a drastic reduction in the pumping mechanism of the heart, which in turn is a major cause of irregular heartbeats.

• Alternatively, studies have analysed its effect by combining ethanol with cyanamide.
• Third and fourth heart sounds can be heard, and they signify systolic and diastolic dysfunction.
• Doctors may perform blood tests to check for markers of inflammation or infection.

Quebec‘s beer drinker disease

Meanwhile, we excluded duplicates, case reports, letters, editorials, and reviews not specifically addressing ACM. We then proceeded with screening and selection based on the titles and abstracts of the initial search results. Two independent reviewers assessed each article for relevance and eligibility for full-text review. Once the 15 articles were selected (see Appendix Table 1 for the list of included articles), we extracted and organized relevant information from them. The quantity of alcohol consumed daily and the duration of alcohol misuse are linked to the development of ACM, although the precise thresholds for causing cardiac dysfunction remain unknown. The risk of ACM significantly increases with alcohol intake exceeding 80 g per day for a minimum of five years 3.

It has been said that ethanol is the “perfect drug” because of its pleasant effects but damaging long-term effect 1,6. It is distributed worldwide, with easy social access, and is pleasant when consumed, with positive sensations of welfare, but its negative effects, which include depressive and damaging noxious health effects, are reserved for later. This dual effect creates an additional difficulty to achieve an effective control. Ethanol is one of the most addictive drugs for humans, with high physical and psychological addiction potential 7. Efforts to control alcohol addiction have just 50%–60% positive results in specific cessation programs 8,9.

Beriberi heart disease

• It leaps in times of thrill, pounds during moments of fear, and aches when we’re filled with sadness.
• The first and most important diagnosis to rule out is coronary artery disease.
• Structurally, hypertrophy of myocytes is seen in the early stages to avoid contractile depression 52,107,125.
• Chronic liver disease, often caused by long-term alcohol abuse, is another risk factor.

Our writers and reviewers are experienced professionals in medicine, addiction treatment, and healthcare. AddictionResource fact-checks all the information before publishing and uses only credible and trusted sources when citing any medical data. The Verified badge on our articles is a trusted sign of the most comprehensive scientifically-based medical content.If you have any concern that our content is inaccurate or it should be updated, please let our team know at email protected. It is essential for patients to disclose their full alcohol use history, as the likelihood of ACM increases with the consumption of over 80 grams of alcohol per day for at least five years. They may also use diuretics to help your body remove excess fluid and reduce swelling.

Addiction Resource is not a healthcare provider, nor does it claim to offer sound medical advice to anyone. Addiction Resource does not favor or support any specific recovery center, nor do we claim to ensure the quality, validity, or effectiveness of any particular treatment center. No one should assume the information provided on Addiction Resource as authoritative and should always defer to the advice and care provided by a medical doctor. Without full abstinence, the 4-year mortality rate for ACM can be as high as 50% and ACM is a common cause of death among long-term heavy drinkers.

How Common is Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy (Alcohol-related Heart Damage)?

Women are affected as well but typically require less lifetime alcohol exposure to develop the condition 4. Recognizing these signs and understanding their progression can aid in seeking timely medical help. Individuals dealing with substance abuse and addiction should pay close attention to their health and seek assistance when needed to prevent complications related to alcoholic cardiomyopathy.

Blood pressure medications (such as ACE inhibitors or beta-blockers), a defibrillator, or pacemakers can be prescribed if the damage to the heart is due to alcoholic cardiomyopathy. If these symptoms are present, the individual should seek medical attention immediately. Addressing the symptoms as quickly as possible may help keep alcoholic cardiomyopathy from progressing further into congestive heart failure, or some other serious health issue. Therefore, ACM treatments often include rehabilitation programs that can help the patient withdraw from alcoholism entirely. They target specific processes that contribute to the development of alcoholic cardiomyopathy. These include myocyte hypertrophy (abnormal enlargement of heart cells), cell death, fibrosis (the formation of excess fibrous connective tissue), and oxidative stress.

Natural history and prognosis of alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy

Physical dependence means that the person needs to use alcohol in order not to experience withdrawal symptoms, while the amount of alcohol necessary grows as the individual’s tolerance increases. Physical dependence and tolerance may occur as part of, or as precursors to, AUD. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy typically develops in anyone who has been drinking more than 80 to 90 g of ethanol per day for at least 5 years. Francisco Church is a rehabilitation specialist and the chief editor of Recovery Ranger. He creates this site to offer guidance and support to individuals seeking to overcome addiction and achieve lasting sobriety.

If you suspect you at risk of or are suffering from the early stages of alcoholic cardiomyopathy, your doctor will run tests to make an accurate diagnosis. Your doctor will also drug addiction treatment ask you about your medical history and alcohol use behaviors. It is important to be honest with your doctor about your alcohol use, including the number and amount of drinks you have each day. This will make it easier for them to make an accurate diagnosis and develop a treatment plan. By combining abstinence from alcohol, lifestyle modifications, and appropriate pharmacological interventions, individuals with alcoholic cardiomyopathy can effectively manage their condition and enhance their overall cardiac health.