[Cardiovascular Impact of Alcoholism]

A history of alcohol abuse associated with hypertension and chronic alcohol consumption is the leading cause of secondary cardiomyopathy. Both acute and chronic alcohol consumption precipitate arrhythmias. However moderate alcohol intake exerts a protective effect against coronary heart disease and stroke. Morbidity is lowest among light drinkers, slightly higher among lifelong abstainers and much higher among heavy drinkers. Magnesium deficiency is common among chronic alcoholics and frequent in Brazil. Magnesium therapy may have beneficial effects when there is excessive ethanol consumption.