Can people with heart disease drink alcohol?

Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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Patients with heart disease should not consume alcohol, especially those with severe heart conditions such as coronary heart disease, severe arrhythmias, and viral myocarditis. These patients especially should avoid alcohol as they need to use many medications during treatment. If they consume alcohol, the alcohol entering the body can chemically interact with some medications, leading to reduced efficacy, diminished effects, or causing side effects. Additionally, for these heart disease patients, consuming alcohol can increase the burden on the heart and exacerbate symptoms of heart disease.

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Written by Li Tao
Pulmonology
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The cause of cor pulmonale

Cor pulmonale, also known as pulmonary heart disease, refers to the increased pulmonary vascular resistance caused by pathological changes in the bronchi, lung tissue, thorax, or pulmonary vessels, leading to pulmonary arterial hypertension and subsequent structural and functional changes in the right ventricle. This condition is clinically referred to as cor pulmonale. The causes of cor pulmonale can be divided into three main categories: The first category is diseases of the bronchi and lungs, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which accounts for approximately 80%-90% of cases. Other causes include bronchial asthma, bronchiectasis, severe pulmonary tuberculosis, interstitial pneumonia, and more. The second category involves diseases related to disorders of thoracic cage movement, such as various thoracic deformities, kyphoscoliosis, spinal tuberculosis, arthritis leading to extensive pleural adhesions, and deformities caused by thoracic plastic surgery. The third category includes pulmonary vascular diseases, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension, pulmonary thromboembolism, and other conditions leading to narrowing or blockage of pulmonary arteries, all of which can progress to cor pulmonale.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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What does heart disease feel like?

Heart disease is a very common category of diseases in our daily lives, with a wide range of heart conditions. What are the general symptoms or feelings associated with heart disease? They often manifest in the following ways: First, palpitations or arrhythmias. Patients with arrhythmias often experience symptoms of palpitations, which are quite common. Second, chest tightness and chest pain, such as in coronary heart disease or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This type of heart disease often presents with symptoms of chest tightness and chest pain. Third, symptoms of heart failure, such as exertional dyspnea or nocturnal paroxysmal dyspnea. These symptoms are often indicative of heart failure. These three major categories are the most common symptoms of heart disease. If you experience any of these symptoms, be sure to visit the cardiology department of a hospital for a formal examination.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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Can heart disease cause numbness in the hands?

Heart disease, such as coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, can potentially cause numbness in the hands. When angina or myocardial infarction of coronary heart disease occurs, there is often severe chest pain. This chest pain may be accompanied by pain and numbness in the left shoulder or left hand. During episodes of pain, an electrocardiogram often shows significant ST depression or ST elevation. This condition is commonly seen in middle-aged and elderly patients. In addition, cervical spondylosis can also cause numbness in the hands, often seen in young people who spend long periods looking down at their mobile phones or using computers, usually showing symptoms of neck pain. A cervical spine MRI can often determine whether cervical spondylosis is causing these symptoms.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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Is hyperthyroid heart disease difficult to treat?

Hyperthyroidism occurs when an excessive amount of T3 and T4 is released by the thyroid gland, leading to hyperactive metabolism throughout the body. This can cause disturbances in autonomic nervous function or receptor hyperactivity, resulting in a series of conditions related to excessive cardiac load and insufficient blood supply. Therefore, the majority of hyperthyroidism-related heart diseases improve after controlling the hyperthyroidism and are relatively easy to treat. However, if the thyroid function is not controlled repeatedly, or if the treatment is not effective, it may lead to severe enlargement of the heart and recurrent arrhythmias, making hyperthyroid heart disease difficult to cure. Nonetheless, such cases are relatively rare, with an incidence of less than 10%.

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Cardiology
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Rheumatic Heart Disease Concept

Rheumatic heart disease is a type of organic heart disease caused by a hypersensitivity reaction in the body due to infection by Streptococcus pyogenes. This leads to pathological changes in the heart valves, including the tricuspid and mitral valves, resulting in stenosis or insufficiency which affects hemodynamics. This condition is known as rheumatic heart disease. Patients with rheumatic heart disease should actively seek treatment under the guidance of a doctor in the early stages to control the occurrence of complications.