New research links alcohol to heart disease
Alcohol use increases the likelihood of suffering atrial fibrillation, heart attack or congestive heart failure, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Despite advances in prevention and treatment, heart disease is the leading cause of death of men and women in the U.S. Reducing heavy alcohol use might result in meaningful reductions of heart disease, according to the researchers.
Study design and findings
The researchers analyzed data from a database of all California residents aged 21 years and older who received ambulatory surgery, emergency or inpatient medical care in California between 2005 and 2009. Among the 14.7 million patients in the database, 1.8%, or approximately 268,000, had been diagnosed with alcohol use disorder.
The researchers found that after taking into account other risk factors, heavy alcohol was associated with,
- A twofold increased risk of atrial fibrillation,
- A 1.4-fold increased risk of heart attack, and
- A 2.3-fold increased risk of congestive heart failure.
These increased risks were similar in magnitude to other well-recognized modifiable risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.
Addressing alcohol saves lives
According to the new findings, completely eradicating alcohol use disorder would result in over 73,000 fewer atrial fibrillation cases, 34,000 fewer heart attacks, and 91,000 fewer patients with congestive heart failure in the United States alone.
Previous research has suggested that low levels of alcohol consumption may help prevent heart attack and congestive heart failure, while even low to moderate levels of alcohol consumption have been shown to increase the incidence of atrial fibrillation.
The great majority of previous research relied exclusively on self-reports of alcohol abuse.
That can be an unreliable measure, especially in those who [consume alcohol] heavily,” said lead researcher Gregory M. Marcus, MD, director of clinical research in the Division of Cardiology at the University of California, San Francisco.
In our study, alcohol abuse was documented in patients’ medical records.”
Gregory M. Marcus, director, clinical research, division of cardiology, University of California, San Francisco
In an editorial accompanying the new study, Michael H. Criqui, of the University of California San Diego, wrote that previous studies that found a benefit from alcohol consumption in protecting against heart attack and congestive heart failure were so-called cohort studies, which include defined populations. Such studies tend to recruit stable, cooperative and health-conscious participants who are more likely to be oriented toward a healthier lifestyle.
Cohort studies have minimal participation by true alcohol abusers, so the current study likely presents a more valid picture of heavy [alcohol use] outcomes.”
Michael H. Criqui, MD, MPH, University of California San Diego
Major threat to minority groups
A study of Latinos and alcohol abuse by Michigan State University found they have a higher risk of alcohol use disorder than their white counterparts.
Also, alcohol use disorder varies dramatically among the many subgroups of the Latino population.
[For example,] even though Puerto Ricans are born U.S. citizens and have easy access back and forth between countries, they have a much higher risk factor in part because [alcohol use] starts at an earlier age and is a larger part of their culture growing up,” said Carlos F. Ríos-Bedoya, an assistant professor in the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State, in an interview.
Carlos F. Ríos-Bedoya, assistant professor, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University
Latinos already face even higher risks of cardiovascular disease than other racial and ethnic groups. The American Heart Association links this condition to the disparity in instances of high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes among Latinos.
These two factors combine to make the new study even more critical for Latinos.
When we look at alcohol, we have almost glamorized it as being this substance that can help us live a really heart-healthy life,” said Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, director of women’s heart health at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City to CNN.
I think, ultimately, drinking in excess leads to heart conditions, and we should really understand the potential toxicity of alcohol and not glamorize it as something we should include as part of our lives.”
Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, director, women’s heart health, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City