Alcohol heart benefits show up even after bypass surgery

Two to three drinks a day linked to decrease in heart problems after operation in men

CHICAGO — The cardiac benefits of having a daily drink or two might extend to a surprising group — men with heart disease so bad it has required coronary bypass surgery.

The value of light-to-moderate drinking for cardiovascular health has shown up previously in healthy people, with studies showing that — other things being equal — people who regularly drank in moderation had less heart disease and fewer strokes than did nondrinkers.