Alcohol consumption and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk

Recommend minimising alcohol consumption to all patients, including patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Reduced alcohol intake is particularly beneficial in obese patients, and patients with elevated blood pressure, hypertriglyceridaemia or obstructive sleep apnoea.

Alcohol consumption is no longer recommended for cardiovascular protection because any cardiovascular benefits are outweighed by the health risks associated with alcohol misuse. Patients should not be encouraged to increase consumption.

For information on the health risks associated with alcohol consumption, see the Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol.