Moldovan cardiologist warns of red wine risks for heart patients
Cardiologist Eleonora Vataman urges strict moderation in wine consumption, warning that while red wine contains protective antioxidants, its blood-pressure risks outweigh benefits for patients with cardiovascular disease.
Cultural traditions and health
Wine remains deeply embedded in Moldovan festive traditions, sparking continuous local debate over its health impact. Residents in the capital of Chisinau remain divided, with some favoring red or white varieties and others rejecting alcohol entirely.
“I prefer white wines. At my age, I consume white more easily than red,” said one Chisinau resident.
Meanwhile, another local emphasized absolute moderation: “You need a little of everything. A glass of wine, no more. Just for tasting.”
Medical findings and limitations
Vataman, who holds a doctorate in medical sciences, spent five years researching the impact of resveratrol—an antioxidant prevalent in red wine—on patients recovering from myocardial infarction. She noted that while red wine offers protective qualities, it simultaneously raises blood pressure.
“Patients with cardiovascular diseases cannot all afford to consume red wine,” said Vataman. “People with hypertension must limit consumption even more strictly than healthy individuals.”
Studies define a moderate portion as 140 milliliters per meal, an amount Vataman likened to standard Italian consumption. However, the World Health Organization maintains that no level of alcohol consumption is entirely free of health risks.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
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