Cardiovascular disease (CVD) encompasses several distinct conditions involving the heart and blood vessels. Some of the known risk factors for CVD include health-related behaviors, existing health conditions or family history, and genetic traits. This IARD Health Review focuses on the role of alcohol consumption as a risk factor for CVD.
IARD Health Reviews offer an overview of scientific literature on the relationship between alcohol consumption and health outcomes and provide the reader with a bibliography that refers to original peer-reviewed research on each topic. The Reviews attempt to present the balance of the available evidence. They do not necessarily reflect the views of IARD or its sponsoring companies.
Last reviewed: July 2018
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© 2021 International Alliance for Responsible Drinking
IARD’s members and the members of its Partnership Council are a diverse group of organizations with a variety of viewpoints. They might not necessarily agree on all or any subjects. Any statements, findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed on this website do not reflect the policies or views of all IARD members or the organizations they represent, unless explicitly stated. However, all members agree on and support IARD’s mission of reducing the harmful use of alcohol.
The resources on this website are not intended as health advice to individuals about their drinking. People with specific questions about their drinking are encouraged to consult a healthcare professional. Together, they can determine what is best for that individual, based on individual risk factors, including family history, genetics, and lifestyle. For some people, the better choice may be to not drink at all.
