Cardiovascular complications of high chronic alcohol use include hypertension, cardiomyopathy and supra ventricular arrhythmias.  The cardiomyopathy can present as heart failure and it responds to conventional treatment.  Arrhythmias can occur in up to 60% of binge drinkers without underlying myocardial damage.  The risk of developing cardiac dysfunction is related to the amount of alcohol intake and duration of drinking, as is hypertension.  Moderate alcohol use is associated with a reduced incidence of heart attacks.  Cardiovascular complications can improve with abstinence.