Author: Toma, Augustin; Pare, Guillaume; Leong, Darryl P.
Description: PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Previous research suggests that low-moderate alcohol consumption may have cardioprotective effects, while heavy or binge-pattern drinking is harmful. New evidence and research methodology may inform safe thresholds of alcohol use. This review examines recent evidence regarding alcohol’s effect on cardiovascular disease, with a special consideration of pattern, drink type, and total quantity.
RECENT FINDINGS: New epidemiologic research confirms the potential harmful cardiovascular effects of heavy episodic alcohol use and does not support the previous observation that low-moderate alcohol use protects against stroke. Alcohol consumption also appears to have a continuous positive relationship with the risk of atrial fibrillation. In addition, Mendelian randomization analyses suggest that alcohol may have a direct causal role in adverse cardiovascular effects. Recent studies have confirmed that heavy alcohol use (>14 drinks per week in women and >21 drinks per week in men) and heavy episodic drinking are associated with an increased risk of mortality. New research raises concerns that even low-moderate alcohol use may not offer cardio- or cerebrovascular protection. Drinking ≥3 drinks per day on a regular basis or ≥5 drinks in any one episode should be discouraged.
Subject headings: Alcohol Drinking; Cardiovascular Diseases; Humans; Risk Factors; Twin Studies as Topic; Alcohol; Alcohol consumption; CVD; Cardiovascular disease; Drinking
Publication year: 2017
Journal or book title: Current Atherosclerosis Reports
Volume: 19
Issue: 3
Pages: 13
Find the full text: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11883-017-0647-0
Find more like this one (cited by): https://scholar.google.com/scholar?cites=8380451092141007168&as_sdt=1000005&sciodt=0,16&hl=en
Serial number: 3919
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