Alcohol
A big part of growing up is trying new things, such as your first date, first car, and first drink. We want you to know the facts.
The effects of alcohol
Drinking alcohol can have loads of different effects on your body as a whole, but also more specifically on your heart.
It can cause high blood pressure and abnormal rhythms, it can even damage your heart muscle, and it can cause other diseases such as stroke, liver problems or even some cancers.
Drinking alcohol puts a strain on your body. It may not feel like it at the time, but your body is having to work extra hard to deal with the alcohol.
Alcohol is also high in calories. Have you ever noticed it is never mentioned as part of a healthy diet? That’s because it is not. It can lead to weight gain but also lowers your inhibitions, which means it becomes harder to stick to healthy food when you have been drinking.
“A Saturday night is not complete without a kebab” is often heard in pubs and clubs. A big part of losing weight is simply cutting out alcohol. You will notice a big difference.
How much can I drink?
The government guidelines are really simple:
- Men and women should not drink more than 14 units of alcohol each week.
- You should have alcohol-free days every week.
- These guidelines point to a balance—not drinking every day but also not “binge” drinking all in one day. The units per week are not stored in a big bank, so you can withdraw them all at once. Binge drinking can have serious implications for your health and is to be avoided.
What about my heart?
Once you have recovered from any surgery, then it is ok for most people with a heart condition to drink a moderate amount of alcohol. However, depending on your condition, it may be advised for you to avoid drinking alcohol. Check with your doctor for advice on what is safe for you to drink and how much.
Be careful with your medication. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about what is safe to drink and how much, depending on your medication.
If you are taking sleeping tablets or painkillers, remember that alcohol will have a more powerful effect. Everyone should avoid drinking too much alcohol, but it is particularly important to be careful if you are taking anticoagulant medication like warfarin.
With alcohol, follow these steps:
- Speak to your doctor about what is safe or how much
- Check your drinks and record your units
- Keep alcohol-free days
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