Alcoholics can incur many dangerous side effects after short and/or long term consumption of any alcohol type. Although besides that of affecting the muscles, the blood, the brain and so much more, alcohol gravely affects an individual's heart. This puts most alcoholics at risk for different diseases, malfunctions and illnesses relating therein.
When it comes to alcohol, there are many side effects that directly affect the outer visual appearance of an individual. These effects may include, but are not limited to, a swollen face or fingers, broken veins in the nose, bloated mouth, etc. Although there are also the effects that exist within the body of an alcoholic, even if they cannot be seen on a daily basis.
With respects to the heart, here are some of the risks, diseases and illness that may incur when consuming alcohol on a regular and repetitively abusive basis:
Increase in Blood Pressure:
The most common of side effects relating to the heart when consuming alcohol, an increase in blood pressure, had several side effects in itself. Possibly leading to heart attacks, stroke and most always a reddish color in the skin, blood pressure is meant to remain at a heart-tolerant level. If the consumption of alcohol does not cease when high blood pressure is discovered, and/or if the increase in blood pressure is not medically treated, heart failure is another devastatingly possible outcome that may occur.
Cardiomyopathy:
Generally defined as a 'heart muscle disease', cardiomyopathy can occur after long-term alcohol abuse. With this illness, the heart actually fails as it is too full of toxins to function any longer. The heart can clear toxins from itself, via the rest of the body, over time. Although, when an individual consumes alcoholic beverages on a regular and abusive basis, it does not have the time or power to clean itself fast enough. With this toxin overload, cardiomyopathy may occur.
Arrhythmias:
Commonly known as an irregular heart beat, arrhythmias occur during or directly after binge drinking (or drinking in irregular excess). The heart is working overtime to filter the alcohol through the blood stream, and remove toxins from within it. In pumping itself to exhaustion, arrhythmias will begin to occur. Long streams of arrhythmias can also lead to cardiomyopathy, as mentioned above.
If you or someone you know is suffering from heart issues relating to alcohol abuse and/or alcoholism, it is best to seek medical attention quickly. A drug and alcohol rehabilitation center can also be of assistance, in putting you or your loved on a path to a safe, healthy and positive recovery.
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