Many patients with heart conditions take aspirin and wonder whether they can drink wine. Scientific evidence shows that drinking a moderate amount of wine (less than 250 ml per day) or beer (no more than 660 ml per day) is not harmful from a cardiovascular standpoint and may even offer benefits. However, certain conditions—such as dilated cardiomyopathy or liver cirrhosis—can contraindicate alcohol consumption.
What Does Science Say About Alcohol and Heart Disease?
Various studies have shown that moderate alcohol consumption can reduce mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease. Ethanol and polyphenols found in alcoholic beverages, especially red wine, contribute to these protective effects.
The reported benefits include:
- Raising HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol).
- Reducing platelet aggregation, lowering the risk of blood clots.
- Enhancing vasodilation, which improves blood flow.
- Improving the regulation of arterial wall function.
- Decreasing blood levels of certain clotting factors.
- Increasing fibrinolysis, which helps break down clots.
- Raising levels of atrial natriuretic peptide, promoting sodium and water elimination by the kidneys.
Despite these potential benefits, some studies associate any amount of alcohol with increased overall mortality, leading many specialists to advise caution or even abstention.
Risks of Mixing Aspirin with Wine or Alcohol
The combination of aspirin and alcohol can have adverse effects, especially in patients with a history of gastrointestinal conditions or bleeding disorders.
- Both substances can irritate the gastric lining and increase the risk of bleeding.
- Alcohol enhances aspirin’s anticoagulant effect, prolonging bleeding time.
- At low doses (75–100 mg of aspirin) and with moderate alcohol intake, the risk is generally minimal.
- Many patients take aspirin and drink wine regularly for years without complications.
- However, risks are higher in individuals with gastritis, ulcers, prior bleeding, or uncontrolled high blood pressure.
Conclusions and Recommendations
In general, drinking wine or beer in moderation is safe while taking aspirin, provided that:
- The aspirin dose does not exceed 325 mg/day (100 mg/day is usually sufficient for cardiovascular prevention).
- No medical conditions exist that contraindicate alcohol (such as liver, gastrointestinal, or hypertensive disorders).
- High-proof liquors and spirits are avoided.
One glass of wine or one beer a day is unlikely to cause harm if you are taking low-dose aspirin. Still, it’s always best to consult your cardiologist before consuming any alcoholic beverages or medications.
