However, large-scale prospective studies have not found any difference in the incidence of CHD associated with beverage type. However, research has not yet demonstrated a significant role for these chemicals in arresting CHD development in humans. Evidence suggests that a preference for wine over other alcoholic beverages is associated with a lifestyle that includes other favorable health-related practices. For example, drinkers who prefer wine tend to smoke less and drink less and have a more healthful diet than those who prefer beer or liquor. To function normally, the muscle tissue that constitutes the bulk of the heart requires a constant supply of oxygen-containing blood.
Blood is delivered to the heart muscle through the coronary arteries.
Cholesterol and other fatty substances can accumulate within the coronary arteries, partially impeding the flow of blood. This condition underlies the clinical manifestations of CHD, which may range from episodic chest pain to sudden death. The most common serious manifestation of CHD is the heart attack. Heart attacks are generally triggered by the formation of a blood clot within a constricted coronary artery, obstructing blood flow and depriving a portion of the heart muscle of oxygen. The resulting impairment of the heart's pumping ability may cause permanent disability or death, either immediately or through the progressive development of medical complications.