The Relationship Between Alcohol Consumption With Vascular Structure and Arterial Stiffness in the Spanish Population: EVA Study

Abstract

Background Controversy exists regarding the way alcohol use is associated with vascular structure and arterial stiffness parameters. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between alcohol consumption with vascular structure and arterial stiffness in an adult population. Methods We conducted a cross‐sectional study. Five hundred and one participants were recruited by random sampling from an urban population of 43,946 individuals aged 35 to 75 years, assigned from 5 healthcare centers located in Salamanca, Spain. This was a subanalysis of the EVA study. Arterial stiffness was assessed by measuring cardio‐ankle vascular index (CAVI) and brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (ba‐PWV) with the VaSera VS‐1500® device, and carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity (cf‐PWV) with the Sphygmocor®. Vascular structure was evaluated by measuring the carotid intima–media thickness (c‐IMT) with a Sonosite Micromax® ultrasound. Alcohol consumption was calculated using a standardized questionnaire and quantified in g/wk. Results In the multiple regression analysis adjusted for sex, age, smoking status, and systolic blood pressure, the c‐IMT and cf‐PWV values of individuals drinking > 70 g/wk were higher than those of the reference group (nondrinkers) by 0.02 mm (p = 0.030) and 0.42 m/s (p = 0.021), respectively. The association between alcohol consumption with vascular structure and arterial stiffness only attains statistical significance for cf‐PWV (p = 0.039) and c‐IMT (p = 0.019), showing an association which suggests a J‐shaped association. This association was not statistically significant for ba‐PWV and CAVI (p = 0.446 and p = 0.141, respectively), although a similar trend was observed with ba‐PWV. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that heavy alcohol consumption (>70 g/wk) is associated with increased c‐IMT and cf‐PWV. Moreover, we found a J‐shaped association between alcohol consumption and c‐IMT and cf‐PWV values as markers of vascular structure and arterial stiffness, with no association with ba‐PWV and CAVI being observed.

Association between Alcohol Intake and Arterial Stiffness in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review

“…The 13 studies in the current review ( Table 2 ) [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ] included 23,489 participants (9 studies investigating both sexes and 4 only males). Most studies involved more than 250 participants while few had less than 20.…”

“…The summary of the main findings of the included studies on the association between alcohol consumption and PWV is reported in Table 4 . Of the 13 studies included, a J-shaped association between alcohol consumption and PWV was found in 5 [ 13 , 16 , 35 , 36 , 38 ], whilst a linear association was highlighted in 4 [ 14 , 34 , 39 , 40 ] and a positive benefit of alcohol consumption on arterial stiffness in 4 [ 15 , 32 , 33 , 37 ].…”

“…Among environmental factors, dietary compounds were explored only to a limited extent, and most previous studies have been focused on exploring the role of salt consumption on PWV increase [ 11 , 12 ]. Nevertheless, beverages represent a consistent part of daily diet; alcohol is one of the most consumed—as well as abused—beverages worldwide, and it is in turn considered as a factor influencing arterial stiffness [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ].…”

Assessment of Arterial Stiffness Using the Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index – What We Know and What We Strive for

“…Предполагаемый механизм такого эффекта -легкое седативное действие такой дозы алкоголя. Тем не менее, в популяционном исследовании EVA в Испании показано, что, хотя наибольший уровень CAVI и был при потреблении >70 г/л алкоголя в нед (8,5±1,4), но после корректировки на возраст, пол, статус курения, диету и физическую активность не отмечено статистически значимых различий в значениях Assessment of arterial stiffness using CAVI Оценка артериальной жесткости с помощью CAVI CAVI при различном уровне еженедельного потребления алкоголя (р=0,141) [46]. В исследовании D. Kume и соавт.…”

Effects of 6-Week Traditional and Functional Resistance Training on Arterial Stiffness and Muscular Strength in Healthy Young Men

“…Additionally, arterial stiffness is a strong independent predictor of cardiovascular events and mortality ( Laurent et al, 2001 ). Studies have identified and characterized the stimuli that accelerate arterial stiffness, such as smoking ( Thitiwuthikiat et al, 2017 ), alcohol ( Gonzalez-Sanchez et al, 2020 ), insufficient sleep ( Chami et al, 2016 ), inactivity, and sedentariness ( O’Donovan et al, 2014 ). Thus, the prevention of cardiovascular events has become a crucial strategy for cardiovascular disease diagnosis and treatment.…”