We recommend that patients with heart disease do not drink alcohol. If you are waiting for heart surgery, make sure to read the section alcohol use before and after cardiac surgery.
If you do drink, it is important that you understand ways to reduce the risk of long-term impacts to your heart and overall health. Low risk guidelines recommend no more than one to two standard drinks per week. If you drink over two drinks per week you are increasing your risk of certain cancers, heart disease and stroke. For more information about your personal risks with the use of alcohol, please speak with your healthcare team.
A standard drink
- 341 ml (12 oz) 5% beer or cooler = one standard bottle or can
- 142 ml (5 oz) 12% wine = measure and mark on your wineglass
- 43 ml (1.5 oz) 40% liquor = use a shot glass or measure three tablespoons
Please note
People who drink often or every day may need support to safely reduce or quit. Please contact your primary care provider (family physician or nurse practitioner) or one of the resources listed below.
On this page
Alcohol intake recommendations: Less is best
No risk
0 drinks a week. Not drinking has benefits, such as better health, and better sleep.
Low risk
1 to 2 standard drinks a week. You will likely avoid alcohol-related consequences for yourself and others.
Moderate risk
3 to 6 standard drinks a week. Your risk of developing several different types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer, increases.
Increasingly high risk
7 or more standard drinks a week. Your risk of heart disease or stroke increases. Each additional standard drink increases the risk of these alcohol-related consequences.
If you are pregnant, have a history of cardiomyopathy, or have been advised by your doctor not to drink, we recommend 0 drinks a week.
For more information, please consult Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health, Public Summary: Drinking Less Is Better (Infographic)
Alcohol use before and after cardiac surgery
Alcohol use before cardiac surgery
Regular alcohol use in the weeks before your cardiac surgery may increase the risk of post-operative complications such as increased bleeding and infections, delayed wound healing or post-surgery confusion. Based on the best evidence, we recommend you stop consuming any alcohol four weeks before your surgery to promote a better and safer recovery. Even if you are not able to stop completely, any reduction in the amount of alcohol in the four weeks prior to surgery will be beneficial in your recovery.
Please note
- If you usually have four to eight standard drinks per day, we suggest you decrease your alcohol use by half the amount daily. We advise against completely stopping unless you seek help from your family care provider (family physician or nurse practitioner), or one of the resources listed below.
- If you usually drink more than eight standard drinks a day and/or experience withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking, sweating, or feeling restless (even if you don’t drink every day), you should not abruptly stop drinking alcohol. Please contact your primary care provider (family physician or nurse practitioner) or one of the resources listed below to assist you with reducing your alcohol use safely.
Alcohol use after cardiac surgery
We recommend heart patients do not drink alcohol. If you do drink, it is important to understand ways to reduce your risk of long-term impacts to your heart and overall health. Less alcohol is better and reduces your risk.
Resources to support you in managing your alcohol use
- Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine Clinic
613-722-6521 extension 6508
theroyal.accessraam.ca - AccessMHA
Coordinated access and navigation to free mental health, substance use health, and addictions resources in eastern Ontario
accessmha.ca - Connex Ontario
Mental health and addiction treatment services
1-866-531-2600
connexontario.ca