Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum is a leader in preventive cardiology, now in private practice in New York. She is the Founder and CEO of Heart-Tech Health, a med-tech innovation to decrease the risk of women’s cardiovascular disease and bring prevention to every woman regardless of location or circumstance. She launched heart prevention programs at Mt. Sinai Heart, Northwell Lenox Hill and Beth Israel.
Moderate to heavy drinking over an extended period of time may increase the risk of a dangerous type of irregular heartbeat in adults over 40 years of age, too. Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, occurs when the heart's upper chambers beat irregularly and can increase stroke risk fivefold if left untreated. The condition is estimated to affect 12.1 million people in the United States by 2030. Studies have linked higher alcohol consumption to increased risk of AFib. If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor may [also] advise you to reduce the amount of alcohol you drink.