Harms of Alcohol -- Increased Cancer & Heart Risks

There are increasing arguments against consuming any alcohol, supported by two recent articles in the New York Times:

• The Battle Over What to Tell Americans About Drinking (Jan. 1, 2025)

  • https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/01/health/alcohol-dietary-guidelines.html

• Surgeon General Calls for Cancer Warnings on Alcohol (Jan. 3, 2025)

  • https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/03/health/alcohol-surgeon-general-warning.html

In the second article, Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. surgeon general, provided an advisory report (oash-alcohol-cancer-risk.pdf) which delved into the link between alcohol and at least seven different types of cancer. The Advisory proposes that one in six cases of breast cancer may be due to alcohol consumption.

Why is a cardiologist posting about the harms of alcohol including cancer? The Jan. 3, 2025 New York Times piece stressed two important points:

1. There is no "safe" amount of alcohol.

2. Alcohol is closely linked to causing atrial fibrillation, a heart arrhythmia condition common in adults.

The list of problems caused or worsened by alcohol is long, including:

1. High blood pressure / Hypertension

2. Heart failure

   1. Systolic heart failure (weak heart) / alcohol cardiomyopathy

   2. Diastolic heart failure (stiff heart)

3. Coronary artery disease / atherosclerosis

4. Aortic aneurysm

5. Stroke

A problem is alcohol is a part of our culture, particularly in Wisconsin. However, we are increasingly seeing stores and restaurants supplying a number of non-alcohol containing beverages. So, you can still have a treat when you go out without putting your health at risk. An easy option is a diet ginger beer combined with a dash of lime juice. You can garnish it with a few mint leaves and a slice of lime.