In a recent study published in JAMA network open, A group of researchers focused on different subtypes of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and investigated the association between lower alcohol intake and the occurrence of major major cardiovascular events (MACE) in heavy drinkers.

Study: Reduction in alcohol consumption and serious adverse cardiovascular events in previously heavy alcohol users. Image credit: Vaclav Mach / Shutterstock

background

Alcohol consumption has a major impact on both individual and public health, and research shows a complex relationship between alcohol consumption and CVD. Light to moderate alcohol consumption is thought to have some protective effect against CVD, but this effect varies by type of CVD, and the relationship between alcohol intake and heart health is not linear. Previous studies have typically measured alcohol intake at a single point in time and compared drinkers and non-drinkers, without accounting for changes in drinking habits over time. Further research is essential to understand the mechanisms underlying the cardiovascular benefits of reduced alcohol intake and to establish guidelines tailored to different populations and CVD subtypes.

About research

In this study, researchers utilized data from the Korea National Health Insurance Corporation Health Examination (NHIS-HEALS) database to examine a representative sample of Korean adults between the ages of 40 and 79. Approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Chungbuk National University Hospital, this study complied with the Declaration of Helsinki and the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines and was subject to the broad coverage of the National Health Examination Program (NHSP). A range was used to analyze information on demographics, medical history, and lifestyle factors, including alcohol consumption. This careful documentation provided the basis for a detailed investigation of the health effects of alcohol.

The selection of participants was carried out systematically, and non-drinkers were excluded in the later stages to avoid confounding factors such as smoking cessation effects due to illness. The rigor of the study extended to defining binge drinking based on established criteria and dividing participants into groups based on long-term drinking habits.

Confounding variables were accurately identified, including a variety of demographic, health, and lifestyle factors. The results of the study are centered around his MACE and include detailed coding and procedures to ensure accuracy. To draw reliable conclusions about the relationship between alcohol consumption and cardiovascular health, statistical analyzes were conducted using advanced tools and methods such as propensity score matching (PSM) and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models. Ta.

research result

In a comprehensive study that analyzed 21,011 participants who initially had high levels of alcohol consumption, 14,220 maintained their heavy drinking habits and 6,791 reduced their drinking to light or moderate levels. This cohort, which was predominantly male (90.3%) and had a mean age of 56 years, provided a detailed snapshot of baseline health and lifestyle characteristics. Initially, heavy drinkers were on average younger and more likely to be male than those who cut back.

Clinical indicators such as body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and various biochemical markers showed differences between the groups, with persistent heavy drinkers generally having poorer health indicators. Interestingly, despite health disparities, these groups were closely matched on most variables after PSM, allowing for a more accurate comparison of outcomes.

Over the course of the study, the group who continued to drink heavily had significantly higher rates of MACE than those who reduced their intake, with large differences in outcomes seen over time. Specifically, lower alcohol consumption was associated with a 23% lower risk of experiencing MACE. When looking at specific CVDs, lower alcohol intake significantly lowered the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), angina, stroke, ischemic stroke, and all-cause mortality, but decreased risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction ( No benefit was observed for MI) or hemorrhagic stroke. .

Subgroup analyzes revealed cardiovascular benefits of reducing alcohol intake across a variety of demographics and health conditions, including age, gender, BMI, smoking status, and physical activity level. Remarkably, these benefits were evident regardless of pre-existing conditions, such as atrial fibrillation or chronic kidney disease, and were consistent across different socioeconomic statuses and comorbidities.

Further sensitivity analyzes excluding variables that could potentially be modified by changes in alcohol consumption reconfirmed the cardiovascular benefits of reducing alcohol intake.

conclusion

In summary, this study demonstrated that heavy drinkers who reduced their alcohol intake had a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular events over 10 years and significant improvements in health status 3 years after weight loss. it was done. This reduction in alcohol consumption was correlated with a wide range of cardiovascular benefits, particularly in lowering the risk of ischemic stroke and angina-related interventions. This study reveals the complex biological mechanisms by which moderate alcohol intake may confer cardiovascular protection, focusing on lipid regulation, improving endothelial function, and reducing inflammation. Importantly, our study reveals a specific reduction in the risk of CAD and ischemic stroke in heavy drinkers, highlighting the potential health benefits of moderating alcohol intake.