Study Finds No Direct Link Between Heavy Alcohol Consumption and Dilated Cardiomyopathy

A recent comprehensive study conducted by researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine has provided new insights into the relationship between alcohol intake and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). DCM is a serious heart muscle disorder characterized by a weakened heart muscle and enlargement of the left ventricle, which can lead to heart failure and often necessitates a heart transplant. Traditionally, excessive alcohol consumption has been considered a risk factor for developing DCM; however, this new research challenges that notion.

The study included 1,188 patients diagnosed with DCM and 1,407 of their first-degree relatives, such as children, parents, and siblings. Researchers utilized surveys to assess alcohol consumption levels and analyzed genetic data to identify rare variants associated with DCM. Their findings, published in the journal Circulation: Genomic and Precision Medicine, revealed that while about one-third of both DCM patients and their relatives were moderate to heavy drinkers, there was no significant association between heavy alcohol use and the development of DCM after adjusting for factors like age, race, and genetic predispositions.

Lead author Dr. Ray Hershberger emphasized that although traditional views linked prolonged alcohol abuse to DCM, their data suggest genetics play a more critical role. The study identified specific rare genetic mutations that were strongly associated with DCM, whereas alcohol consumption did not show a direct causal relationship.

While alcohol is known to contribute to other cardiac issues such as high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms, the findings indicate it does not directly cause DCM. Nevertheless, experts advise moderation, especially for individuals diagnosed with or at risk for DCM, as alcohol may exacerbate existing heart problems. Further research is necessary to understand how genetics and alcohol consumption might interact in the progression of DCM.

This study underscores the importance of genetic factors in DCM and suggests that, contrary to popular belief, heavy alcohol intake may not be a primary cause of this severe heart condition.

Source: MedicalXpress