What is the association of alcohol consumption after the diagnosis of heart failure with survival among older adults?

In this cohort study of 393 older adults with incident heart failure, consumption of 7 or fewer alcoholic drinks per week was significantly associated with increased survival compared with abstinence from alcohol, after controlling for other factors.

Meaning Limited alcohol consumption among older adults with incident heart failure may be associated with increased survival.

Importance More than 1 million older adults develop heart failure annually. The association of alcohol consumption with survival among these individuals after diagnosis is unknown.

To determine whether alcohol use is associated with increased survival among older adults with incident heart failure.

Conclusions and Relevance
These findings suggest that limited alcohol consumption among older adults with incident heart failure is associated with survival benefit compared with long-term abstinence. These findings suggest that older adults who develop heart failure may not need to abstain from moderate levels of alcohol consumption.

Source: Published: December 28, 2018. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.6383