The study, presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2010, was to see how alcohol consumption effected patients who had undergone bypass surgery.
"The benefit of light amounts of alcohol consumption has been documented in healthy individuals, but our analysis showed a benefit from light alcohol intake in post-coronary bypass patients," said Umberto Benedetto, M.D., Ph.D. at the University of Rome La Sapienza in Italy.
"However, our analysis indicated that alcohol consumption is not advisable in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure," said Benedetto.
The research found bypass patients with left ventricular dysfunction who were moderate to heavy drinkers were twice as likely to have subsequent cardiovascular deaths compared to non-drinkers.
Light to moderate alcohol consumption was defined as five to 30 grams of alcohol daily; moderate to heavy was defined as more than 60 grams daily.
Researchers used a standard questionnaire to compare alcohol consumption in 1,021 patients who underwent heart bypass and reviewed subsequent bypass procedures, heart attacks, strokes and cardiac deaths during the following 3 and a half years.
Patients consuming about two drinks daily had fewer cardiovascular events when compared to those who abstained.
But moderate to heavy alcohol consumption by patients with left ventricular problems was associated with significantly greater risk of dying.
Results of the study need to be confirmed over a longer follow-up period, with more patients and controls, Benedetto said.
While this is good news for adults who enjoy indulging in moderate alcohol consumption, the American Heart Association is quick to point out drinking does not prevent heart disease so for individuals who do not drink, they shouldn't feel the need to start.
And for those who already drink alcohol, the association recommends women limit themselves to a drink a day and men limit themselves to two drinks per day.
