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Moderate alcohol consumption may be linked to a lower risk of a few, but not all cardiovascular diseases, according to a UK study.

The health records of over 1.9 million patients aged 30 years and older between 1997 and 2010 were analyzed by researchers from Cambridge University and University College London. They self-reported the frequency and amount of drinking alcohol.

The patients did not have any cardiovascular disease at the time. Six years later, almost 115, 000 patients were diagnosed with some cardiovascular conditions.

An analysis of the data showed that males drinking not more than three units of half a pint of beer or 0.25L of spirits a day of spirits may have some advantages over non-drinkers. Abstaining from alcohol was linked to a higher risk of peripheral arterial disease, unstable angina, ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction (heart attack), heart failure, abdominal aortic aneurysm and unheralded coronary death. For women, moderate alcohol consumption would mean at most two units per day or 14 units a week.

On the other hand, heavy drinkers were more likely to suffer from a transient ischemic attack, unheralded coronary death, heart failure, sudden cardiac arrest. The study showed a lower risk for heavy drinkers to have a heart attack and stable angina as the initial heart condition.

The researchers admitted that the effects of moderate alcohol consumption on cardiovascular disease prevention have not been established by the study since the data came from self-reported intake of alcohol by the participants and there were no standard questions used for a more accurate evaluation of drinking habits. Moreover, the lower risk from cardiovascular diseases does not include all of its types, reported Cardiovascular Business.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that for breast and liver cancers, it is unclear how much alcohol is safe for these conditions.

It also explained that even though studies have suggested some beneficial effects of moderate alcohol consumption on health, it is still debatable whether they were not because of genetic or behavioral differences instead, according to CDC.