Alcohol May Raise Heart Attack and Stroke Risk Even in Small Amounts, Study Finds
Alcohol May Raise Heart Attack and Stroke Risk Even in Small Amounts, Study Finds
A large international study suggests that even one alcoholic drink a day may gradually increase blood pressure, challenging the long-held belief that moderate drinking is harmless for heart health.
By Vidhi Lalla
Pune: Drinking alcohol, even in small amounts every day, may increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke over time, according to a new study published in the journal Hypertension, an official journal of the American Heart Association.
The research analysed health data from more than 19,500 adults in the United States, Japan and South Korea over several years. Researchers found a clear link between alcohol consumption and rising blood pressure, with no evidence that moderate drinking offers heart-related benefits compared with not drinking at all.
Even One Daily Drink Can Affect Blood Pressure
The study found that as alcohol intake increased, systolic blood pressure the pressure when the heart pumps blood increased steadily.
Even people who consumed relatively small amounts of alcohol experienced a mild but persistent rise in blood pressure. Although the increase may appear small initially, experts say it can place continuous stress on the heart and blood vessels over the years, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular diseases.
Researchers observed that people consuming about 12 grams of alcohol daily roughly equivalent to one standard drink, recorded an average increase of 1.25 mmHg in systolic blood pressure. Those consuming around 48 grams daily showed an average increase of 4.9 mmHg.
Men May Face Greater Risk
The study also found that diastolic blood pressure, the pressure between heartbeats increased significantly among men, while the effect was less pronounced in women.
Lead researcher Professor Marco Vinceti from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia said the findings were surprising because even moderate alcohol consumption showed harmful effects on blood pressure.
He noted that the research found no protective cardiovascular benefit from moderate alcohol intake when compared with people who did not drink.
Alcohol Is One of Several Risk Factors
Experts stressed that alcohol is not the only cause of high blood pressure, but it is an important and potentially avoidable risk factor.
Professor Paul Whelton of Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine said the harmful effects were particularly noticeable among people who already had slightly elevated blood pressure before the study began.
According to the UK National Health Service (NHS), blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or above is generally considered high in adults.
Healthy Lifestyle Still Offers the Best Protection
Doctors say reducing or avoiding alcohol, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking and managing cholesterol levels remain the most effective ways to lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.
The findings add to growing scientific evidence that there may be no completely risk-free level of alcohol consumption, especially for long-term cardiovascular health.
Key Findings
- Study analysed data from over 19,500 adults in three countries.
- Even one alcoholic drink a day was linked to a gradual rise in blood pressure.
- Higher alcohol intake resulted in greater increases in systolic blood pressure.
- Men showed a more noticeable increase in diastolic blood pressure than women.
- Researchers found no cardiovascular benefit from moderate drinking compared with non-drinking.
FAQs
Q. Can one drink of alcohol every day increase heart disease risk?
The study suggests that even one standard drink daily may gradually raise blood pressure, which can increase the long-term risk of heart attack and stroke.
Q. Why does alcohol increase blood pressure?
Alcohol can affect the nervous system, blood vessels and hormones that regulate blood pressure. Regular consumption may cause blood pressure to remain elevated over time.
Q. Does moderate drinking protect the heart?
According to this study, researchers found no evidence that moderate alcohol consumption provided heart-related benefits compared with not drinking.
Q. Are men and women affected differently?
The study found that increases in diastolic blood pressure were more evident in men, although alcohol can affect cardiovascular health in both sexes.
Q. How can people reduce their heart disease risk?
Experts recommend limiting or avoiding alcohol, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling cholesterol and blood pressure, and avoiding tobacco use.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, alcohol consumption or treatment plan.
