Alcohol intake and risk of acute coronary syndrome and mortality in men and women with and without hypertension

Abstract

Although a light to moderate alcohol intake is associated with a lower risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), alcohol is also associated with risk of hypertension, which in turn is a strong risk factor of ACS. We examined whether middle-aged men and women with hypertension also benefit from a light to moderate alcohol intake in relation to risk of ACS and overall mortality. We used data from 57,053 men and women, aged 50-64, who participated in the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health study. Information on alcohol intake (amount and frequency) was reported by the participants. Hypertension status was assessed at baseline by combining blood pressure measurements and self-reports. During follow-up, 860 and 271 ACS events occurred among men and women. Irrespective of alcohol intake, participants with hypertension had a higher risk than participants with normal blood pressure. Alcohol intake was associated with a lower risk of ACS among participants both with and without hypertension and there was no evidence of interaction between alcohol intake and hypertension. Those who drank moderately had a lower mortality than abstainers and those who drank heavily; and for all levels of alcohol intake, participants with hypertension had a higher risk than participants with normal blood pressure. Results were similar for men and women. These findings indicate that a light to moderate alcohol intake has similar effects on the risk of ACS in men and women with and without hypertension.

Association of alcohol consumption with morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease: original data and meta-analysis of 48,423 men and women

“…Meta-analysis of the results from three major UK cohorts together with those from 12 published studies found J-curve relationships between alcohol consumption and mortality in those with cardiovascular disease, with the greatest risk reduction being observed at 7 g/day for all-cause mortality and 8 g/day for cardiovascular mortality relative to current non-drinkers. This dose-response trend remains consistent with the last published meta-analysis [ 10 ] and has also been reported in other high-risk populations, such as hypertensive [ 57 ] and diabetic individuals [ 58 ].…”

Self‐Care for the Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke

“…An inverse relationship was found between alcohol intake and acute coronary syndrome . Moderate drinking was associated with a lower mortality rate than abstaining or heavy drinking . Similar confusing results were found in diabetes mellitus, incident HF, and ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke .…”

“…Moderate drinking was associated with a lower mortality rate than abstaining or heavy drinking . Similar confusing results were found in diabetes mellitus, incident HF, and ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke . Given the potential negative health and societal consequences of alcohol dependence or abuse, people who do not currently drink alcohol should not be encouraged to begin drinking.…”

“…Similarly, current stroke guidelines suggest that stroke patients who drink heavily should reduce their alcohol consumption, but it may be reasonable for them to consume light‐to‐moderate amounts of alcohol . An inverse relationship was found between alcohol intake and acute coronary syndrome . Moderate drinking was associated with a lower mortality rate than abstaining or heavy drinking .…”

DNA Hypomethylation as a Potential Link between Excessive Alcohol Intake and Cardiometabolic Dysfunction in Morbidly Obese Adults

“…The association between alcohol consumption and diabetes risk is unclear, and counterintuitive findings of greater rates of diabetic patients among abstainers and light drinkers have been reported in French [ 51 ], Danish [ 52 ], and US populations [ 43 , 53 ]. These findings may be attributed to diabetes patients’ tendency to cease or minimize drinking alcohol as prescribed by their doctors.…”