Claire Holladay Consumption of Moderate Amounts of Red Wine for the Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular Disease Cardiovascular

disease, which is a major cause of heart attacks and heart attack related deaths, is a continuing problem in the United States. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Certain risk factors play a role in whether a person is at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease. These include but are not limited to: ethnicity, age, gender, obesity, and high blood pressure. The moderate intake of red wine would most likely be beneficial for those who are at high risk for cardiovascular disease and those who are already diagnosed with having heart disease. This claim has been made known to the general public through the media and literature, but is often not taken as a serious means for treatment or prevention of cardiovascular disease. This claim of red wine consumption is also called The French Paradox. This refers to certain areas of France where red wine is consumed regularly and seems to lower the incidence of cardiovascular disease despite other risk factors existing amongst this population. This claim has the potential for success for certain patients; however, research is inconclusive as to why and how success can be predetermined. Specifically, the intake of red wine has the ability to enhance antioxidant cardiac protection. Cardioprotection is achieved by the presence of resveratrol that is not present in other alcoholic beverages (1). Red wine, when stacked against other ethanol containing beverages, performed in the favor of reducing cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women and in healthy middle aged men (2). The study performed adequately showed a positive correlation between lowered LDL cholesterol numbers and elevated HDL cholesterol values (2). Although, desired cholesterol levels were achieved, it cannot be said for certain that any consumption of red wine will have a positive or negative effect on the patient. The importance of resveratrol might be solidified upon other factors, which would determine whether wine intake would be effective or not. Certain factors such as gender or race are already a cause for concern in pre-determining the risk for cardiovascular disease. However, for those that are already diagnosed with the disease, red wine might prove to be a legitimate dietary addition to a treatment plan. A study performed on patients with cardiovascular disease showed acute effects on systolic pressure and arterial stiffness (3). Studies performed in the Netherlands have given results that men already diagnosed with cardiovascular disease that increased their intake of red wine saw a lowered risk for myocardial infarction. This study highlights the fact that red wine can be added to the diet to help reduce further risk for heart attack for patients already seeking help for heart disease (4). Although the appropriate amount of red wine consumed is dependent on age and body size, approximately one glass per day for females and one to two glasses per day for males is recommended. One glass is considered to be 5 fluid ounces and is suggested to be consumed with a meal. Drinking red wine with a meal has also been shown to lower lipid absorption during the course of the meal. After researching and reviewing multiple studies conducted about red wine intake and cardiovascular disease I have come to the conclusion that consumption is a positive addition to the daily diet. These results seem to be in support of red wine for the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease. As long as the patient or person is in moderate general health, and follows the guidelines for what is recommended to consume on an average daily basis, this could only be an added benefit to ones health.

References 1. Reuters, Thomson. "A Report from the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2011." Drugs Today 48.1 (2011). PubMed. Web. 27 Mar. 2012. 2. Naissides, M., JC Mamo, and AF James. "The Effect of Chronic Consumption of Red Wine on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Postmenopausal Women." Epub 185.2 (2006). PubMed. Web. 27 Mar. 2012. 3. "Red Wine Acutely Induces Favorable Effects on Wave Reflections and Central Pressures in Coronary Artery Disease Patients." American Journal of Hypertension 9.1 (2005). PubMed. Web. 27 Mar. 2012. 4. Mukamal, KJ, KM Conigrave, MA Mittleman, CA Camargo Jr, MJ Stampfer, WC Willett, and EB Rimm. "Roles of Drinking Pattern and Type of Alcohol Consumed in Coronary Heart Disease in Men." New England Journal of Medicine 348.2 (2003). PubMed. Web. 27 Mar. 2012.