ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AND STROKE RISK IN MIDLIFE
Jones SB, Loehr L, Avery CL, et al. Midlife alcohol consumption and the risk of stroke in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. Stroke. 2015;46(11):3124-3130.
Light-to-moderate alcohol consumption at midlife was not associated with reduced stroke risk compared with abstention over 20 years of follow-up in a study of 12,433 never and current drinkers ages 45 to 65. An increased risk for both stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) was observed with heavier consumption, as well as moderate intake for ICH. There were 773 ischemic strokes and 81 ICH incidents over follow-up. Study details included
• For ICH, light and moderate alcohol consumption was not associated with incidence (hazard ratios [HRs], 0.98, 1.06, 0.84).
• Heavier drinking was associated with a 31% increased rate relative to abstention (HR, 1.31).
• For ICH, moderate to heavy (HR, 1.99), but not light, consumption increased incidence.
Continue for spicy foods and mortality >>