AboutDavid Richardson Expertise Adult heart function and disease. Not very good about children lesss than 12. Hypertension is o.k. Heart rhythm a special interest.
Experience Certified in cardiology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Was chairman of division of cardiology at the Medical College of Virginia. Am now mostly retired.
Organizations Fellow of American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology and member of American Physiological Society..
Publications Circulation, American Heart Journal, Hypertension.
Education/Credentials M.D. from Harvard Medical School. Residency training at Yale Uhniversity School of Medicine and Medical College of Virginia.
Awards and Honors Gold Heartt Award from American Heart Association in 1995.
Question Dr.Richardson,
What is your opinion on heart disease and casual alcohol consumption (wine or liquers). That is, I have read reports/abstracts saying small amounts of alcohol are okay and may even help (I think less than 1 ounce a day). A cardiologist I saw in hospital once said it was okay in such quantities but a nurse told me otherwise. She said it is a cardiac depressant (?) and it could impact my heart function (which is reduced). In your opinion does the medical knowledge indicate small amounts (<1 ounce/day) are safe, helpful, or hurtful? Thank you in advance.
Answer Dear David,
Three ounces of whisky or 2 glasses of wine, especially red wine, lessen the likelihood of coronary disease, but for people with reduced heart function that much alcohol will impair heart function. An ounce a day shouldn't be a problem.
