Frequently Asked Questions
Should I drink a glass or two of wine with dinner to prevent heart disease?
This is a frequently asked question. It is true that moderate alcohol intake (1-2 drinks/day) is associated with decreased incidence of coronary heart disease and heart attacks. This is apparently true of all types of alcohol (beer, white and red wine, liquors) and not just red wine. (The mystique surrounding red wine involves its content of flavenoids, antioxidants which have been speculated to decrease heart disease risk).
Although alcohol raises HDL ("good") cholesterol, it is not clear that this is the way in which alcohol decreases risk of heart attacks. Alcohol should never be used simply as a "medication" to raise HDL or to prevent heart disease. There are certainly abundant risks associated with drinking alcohol, from driving under its influence to the risk that use could escalate and cause liver disease. However, the fact remains that moderate alcohol use appears to decrease risk of heart attacks.
No one in my family has heart disease. Does this mean that I don't need to worry about it?
Though coronary artery disease is known to have a hereditary preponderance, it is not necessary that a person without a family history is unlikely to have it. There are so many factors other than family history, which are responsible for this disease to occur. These factors are: Type A personality, undue stress, sluggish life style, obesity, smoking, hypertension and diabetes etc.