Many believe small amounts of alcohol are safe. But the latest evidence shows there’s no safe level of alcohol for heart health. Even moderate drinking can raise the risk to your health – but drinking less will lower it.
Over time, alcohol can affect the body in many ways, and your heart is especially vulnerable. It can:
"Alcohol, including wine, raises cholesterol and triglyceride levels. This can lead to long-term damage to the heart and liver. Cutting down or quitting alcohol is one of the best things you can do for your heart."
Alcohol doesn’t only affect the heart. Regular drinking – even within ‘moderate’ levels – increases the risk of:
The safest option for your heart is to drink as little as possible, or not at all.
If you drink alcohol, keep within the guidelines to lower the risk of harming your health. The HSE’s current advice is:
Many countries are revising their alcohol guidelines downwards in response to new research showing that even small amounts of alcohol can increase health risks, especially for the heart. The HSE is currently reviewing the Irish guidelines with updated advice expected in 2026.
Until then, the HSE’s current limits remain in place – but the message is clear: the less you drink, the better your health.
A bottle of 12.5% alcohol wine has about 7 standard drinks
Remember, servings at home or in restaurants are often larger than a standard drink.
"The safest approach for heart health is to limit alcohol as much as possible or avoid it entirely."
Limiting alcohol is important for everyone, but some people need to reduce it further – or abstain altogether.
You should avoid alcohol:
Some people should drink even less or avoid alcohol entirely. For example:
If you’re unsure, speak with your GP for advice that’s right for you.
Drinking more than 6 standard drinks in one sitting is considered binge drinking. It puts sudden strain on your heart, raising the risk of stroke, irregular heart rhythms and other serious health problems.
Alcohol is high in calories but low in nutrition. For example:
It can also impact our food choices – often making us crave salty or fatty foods – and the energy we have to be physically active. Over time, this can contribute to weight gain, which can increase our blood pressure and heart disease risk.
Many people drink to relax or cope with stress. But over time alcohol can make stress, anxiety and low mood worse. Cutting back can improve your sleep, energy levels and overall wellbeing.
"Many people underestimate the impact of alcohol on their overall health. Reducing alcohol intake not only lowers the risk of heart disease but also improves sleep, mental health and energy levels."
Alcohol was once thought to protect the heart, but research now shows that any amount carries risks. The good news is that every step you take to cut back makes a difference – improving heart health, sleep, energy and mental wellbeing.
2025-06-20
