Alcohol binge drinking: getting to the heart of it

Alcohol Binge-Induced Cardiovascular Dysfunction Involves Endocannabinoid–CB1-R Signaling

“…Apart from the severe indirect consequences, alcohol abuse has been shown to increase the risk of atrial fibrillation, acute myocardial infarction, and congestive heart failure to a similar degree as other well-known risk factors (4). Despite numerous studies investigating the effects of chronic moderate or excessive alcohol consumption on cardiovascular function and/or risk 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, relatively few reports have explored the cardiovascular effects of binge ethanol use and/or intoxication 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. Furthermore, these studies primarily focused on the determination of blood pressure or load- and/or heart rate–dependent indices of myocardial function measured by echocardiography (e.g., ejection fraction [EF]).…”

“…Furthermore, these studies primarily focused on the determination of blood pressure or load- and/or heart rate–dependent indices of myocardial function measured by echocardiography (e.g., ejection fraction [EF]). Since alcohol is also known to time- and dose-dependently alter vascular function, heart rate, cardiac contractility, and peripheral resistance 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, reliance on load- and heart rate-dependent indices of contractile function may lead to inaccurate conclusions.…”