Male heart patients may benefit from drink

ROME, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Italian researchers said male, but not female, bypass patients who were light to moderate drinkers were 25 percent less likely to have another heart attack.

However, researchers at the University of Rome LaSapienza also said moderate to heavy drinking male bypass patients with left ventricular dysfunction were twice as likely as non-drinkers to have subsequent cardiovascular deaths.

"The benefit of light amounts of alcohol consumption has been documented in healthy individuals, but our analysis showed a benefit from light alcohol intake in post-coronary bypass patients," Dr. Umberto Benedetto said in a statement. "However, our analysis indicated that alcohol consumption is not advisable in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure."

Benedetto said the study -- based on 1,021 patients -- needed to be confirmed in a longer follow-up period and with more patients and controls.

The findings were reported in Chicago at the American Heart Association's scientific sessions.

An American Heart Association representative noted the association does not recommend people start consuming alcohol to prevent heart disease, but for those who already drink alcohol, the association recommends women limit themselves to one drink daily and men to two drinks.