A:
The short answer is yes: Some genetic markers are found in increased proportion among people who develop alcoholic cardiomyopathy. In this condition, heart failure results from the chronic, long-term abuse of alcohol.
More difficult to understand is the significance of these findings: Do these genes make ones heart more susceptible to damage from alcohol? Or do they predispose people to drink more heavily or adopt other life style habits that injure the heart? Or are these genes found in higher percentages just by chance? No one knows at this point.
A follow up question: Are there genetic tests to identify whether a person has a low risk or high risk of heart failure from heavy drinking? The answer is no: Dont look for a test that gives people an all clear on drinking.
Thomas H. Lee, M.D., is the chief executive officer for Partners Community HealthCare Inc. He is a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is an internist and cardiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. Lee is the chairman of the Cardiovascular Measurement Assessment Panel of the National Committee for Quality Assurance. 
