Overall, the authors found that the risk of coronary heart disease increased as participants’ alcohol intake increased, after adjusting for age and various known cardiovascular risk factors. For example, in women without a history of binge drinking, high alcohol intake was associated with a 45% higher risk of heart disease than moderate alcohol intake. Women in the moderate alcohol intake group had a 22% higher risk of heart disease than women in the low alcohol intake group. Women with a history of heavy drinking were also 68% more likely to develop heart disease than women in the moderate alcohol consumption group.

Additionally, men in the high alcohol intake group were 22% more likely to develop heart disease than men in the moderate alcohol intake group.

“When it comes to binge drinking, both men and women who consume excessive amounts of alcohol are at increased risk for heart disease,” lead author Jamal Rana, MD, a cardiologist at Permanente Medical Group, said in a statement. . “For women, we see a consistently higher risk even in the absence of binge drinking. We typically see higher risk for heart disease in older women, so we see this in women in this younger age group. I didn’t expect such a result. It was definitely a surprise.”

Lana noted that women often think they are protected from heart disease until they become adults. She said her team’s analysis shows that is not the case.

“When we think of heart disease, the first thing that comes to mind is smoking, and we don’t think of alcohol as a vital sign,” Rana added. “I think there needs to be more awareness. Alcohol should be included as part of regular health checkups from now on.”

ACC.24 is scheduled to be held in Atlanta from April 6th to 8th, 2024. Lana will present his entire research on Saturday, April 6th.