Citation

Argo A, Pitingaro W, Puntarello M, Buscemi R, Malta G, D'Anna T, Albano GD, Zerbo S. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14(11).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2024, MDPI: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)

DOI

10.3390/diagnostics14111189

PMID

38893715

PMCID

PMC11172201

Abstract

Frequent and excessive consumption of alcohol, be it episodic or sustained misuse, ranks among the top causes of mortality globally. This comprehensive analysis seeks to elucidate how alcohol misuse precipitates death, with a particular focus on associated cardiac anomalies. Notably, the phenomenon of "Holiday Heart Syndrome", linked to binge drinking, is recognized for inducing potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias. Moreover, persistent alcohol consumption is implicated in the development of alcoholic cardiomyopathy, a condition that underlies heart failure and arrhythmic disturbances of the heart. Additionally, individuals undergoing withdrawal from alcohol frequently exhibit disruptions in normal heart rhythm, posing a risk of death. This review further delves into additional alcohol-related mortality factors, including the heightened likelihood of hypertension, cerebrovascular accidents (strokes), and the connection between excessive alcohol use and Takotsubo syndrome.

Language: en

Keywords

gender; stroke; sudden death; cardiomyopathy; hypertension; forensic; arrhythmias; Takotsubo; alcohol intake