Light-to-moderate alcohol consumption has been previously associated with a lower risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and mortality. The association of changes in drinking behavior after an AMI with health status and long-term outcomes is unknown. Using a prospective cohort of patients with AMI evaluated with the World Health Organization's Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, we investigated changes in drinking patterns in 325 patients who reported moderate drinking at the time of their AMI. One-year alcohol consumption, disease-specific (angina pectoris and quality of life) and general (mental and physical) health status and rehospitalization outcomes, and 3-year mortality were assessed. Seattle Angina Questionnaire Angina Frequency and Quality of Life, Short Form-12 Mental and Physical Component Summary Scales were modeled using multivariable hierarchical linear models within site. Of the initial 325 moderate drinkers at baseline, 273 (84%) remained drinking and 52 (16%) quit. In fully adjusted models, Physical Component Scale scores (beta 6.47, 95% confidence interval 3.73 to 9.21, p <0.01) were significantly higher during follow-up in those who remained drinking. Persistent moderate drinkers had a trend toward less angina (relative risk 0.65, 95% confidence interval 0.39 to 1.10, p = 0.11), fewer rehospitalizations (hazard ratio 0.79, 95% confidence interval 0.44 to 1.41, p = 0.42), lower 3-year mortality (relative risk 0.75, 95% confidence interval 0.23 to 2.51, p = 0.64), and better disease-specific quality of life (Seattle Angina Questionnaire Quality of Life, beta 3.88, 95% confidence interval -0.79 to 8.55, p = 0.10) and mental health (Mental Component Scale, beta 0.83, 95% confidence interval -1.62 to 3.27, p = 0.51) than quitters. In conclusion, these data suggest that there are no adverse effects for moderate drinkers to continue consuming alcohol and that they may have better physical functioning compared to those who quit drinking after an AMI.

Los bebedores moderados que siguen este hábito después de sufrir un infarto pueden tener mejor salud que los pacientes que tras un ataque al corazón renunciaron a la consumición de bebidas alcohólicas. Unos 325 bebedores moderados fueron supervisados durante varios años después de experimentar un infarto, los que siguieron con sus hábitos de bebida habituales, generalmente tenía un mejor función física que los que dejaron de beber.
Estos resultados al igual que en estudios anteriores indican que un patrón moderado de bebida, en particular de vino tinto, es beneficioso para la salud. Según el investigador principal: James H. O'Keefe, del Instituto de Corazón Americano, del Hospital de San Luke en Ciudad de Kansas, Missouri, los pacientes de infarto que siempre habían sido bebedores moderados – hasta una bebida por día para mujeres y hasta dos por día para hombres – debería hablar con sus doctores sobre si es apropiado seguir con este patrón..
 

Moderate drinkers who continue the habit after suffering a heart attack may fare better than post-heart attack patients who give up consuming alcoholic beverages. Among 325 moderate drinkers monitored for several years after experiencing a heart attack, those who continued their usual drinking habits, generally had a better physical function than those who quit drinking.
The results are in line with previous studies pointing to health benefits from moderate drinking, particularly red wine. According to the senior researcher Dr. James H.O'Keefe, of the Mid America Heart Institute of St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City,Missouri, heart attack patients who have always been moderate drinkers – up to adrink a day for women and up to two per day for men -should talk to their doctors about whether it is appropriate to continue that pattern.