How Excessive Alcohol Use Can Damage Arteries

What is Considered Heavy Drinking?

It can be confusing to understand the difference between moderate drinking and heavy drinking. Generally, moderate drinking means having up to one standard drink a day for women or up to two drinks a day for men. A standard drink usually equals 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor.¹

On the other hand, excessive or heavy drinking usually means having four or more drinks a day for women, or five or more drinks a day for men. Drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period, known as binge drinking, also falls into this category. If you are unsure about your drinking habits, it is always a good idea to speak with your doctor.

How Alcohol Affects Your Heart and Blood Vessels

Your cardiovascular system works constantly to pump nutrient-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body. When you consume alcoholic beverages, the alcohol goes directly into your bloodstream. This causes your heart rate and blood pressure to rise higher than normal.

Over time, drinking too much leads to high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, weakened heart muscles, and elevated levels of bad fats in your blood. All of these factors work together to make it much easier for sticky plaque to build up inside your blood vessels. Learn more about the warning signs of clogged arteries.

Higher Risks for Heart Attack and Stroke

When plaque builds up along your artery walls, your blood vessels become narrow and stiff, making it difficult for blood to flow smoothly. A heart attack occurs when a piece of this plaque breaks free or a clot blocks blood flow directly to the heart. Similarly, a stroke happens when a blood clot blocks an artery that carries vital blood to your brain. Because heavy drinking raises blood pressure and increases blood fats, it significantly increases your chances of experiencing a life-threatening heart attack or stroke.²

The Link Between Alcohol, PAD, and Damaged Arteries

Understanding how alcohol, PAD, and excessive alcohol use can damage arteries is key to maintaining healthy circulation throughout your entire body.

What is PAD?

Peripheral Artery Disease, commonly known as PAD, is a condition where plaque builds up inside the arteries that supply blood to your legs and feet. As these arteries grow narrower, less oxygen-rich blood can reach your lower limbs.

Who is at Risk for PAD?

Several key factors can increase your risk of developing PAD. You are at a higher risk if you are over the age of 50, have a history of smoking, or live with health conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. Regularly drinking alcohol in excessive amounts also adds significant strain to your blood vessels and increases your overall risk.³

Symptoms of PAD

PAD often causes painful symptoms that make daily activities difficult. Many people experience leg pain or cramping while walking, as well as pain that disrupts their sleep. You might also notice a feeling of numbness, coldness, or heaviness in your legs. In more severe cases, PAD causes sores on the toes or legs that heal very slowly or not at all, as well as noticeable changes in the skin color of your legs and feet. Monitoring your alcohol intake, staying active, and controlling your blood pressure are crucial steps to help reduce these risks.

Diagnostic and Treatment Options for PAD

If you experience leg pain or suspect you might be at risk for vascular disease, getting checked early is vital. At USA Vascular Centers, our experienced team of vascular specialists is dedicated to improving your circulation and overall health. We provide thorough evaluations to diagnose PAD quickly and create personalized care plans suited to your needs.

We offer modern, minimally invasive procedures performed right in our outpatient clinics. Options such as angioplasty, stent placement, and atherectomy help restore healthy blood flow without open surgery. These treatments require no overnight hospital stay, have short recovery times, and help lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, or limb loss. Learn more about whether PAD can be reversed.