A research conducted by the American College of Cardiology recently indicated that women who consume more than eight alcoholic beverages a week have a higher risk of developing heart disease.
The study was conducted at the Kaiser Permanente healthcare organization in Northern California. Data was collected from over 432,000 individuals aged between 18 and 65, all of whom had no previous history of heart disease or stroke.
For the purpose of the study, a low intake level was defined as 1-2 drinks a week, a moderate intake as 3-14 drinks a week for men and 3-7 drinks a week for women, and a high intake level as 15 or more drinks a week for men and 8 or more drinks for women.
During the four-year follow-up period, it was found that 3,108 individuals developed coronary heart disease. The risk increased with the level of alcohol consumption, with women who reported high alcohol intake having a 33%-51% higher risk of developing heart disease compared to those with low alcohol intake.
The study also examined the relationship between binge drinking and heart disease. It was found that women who binge drink were two-thirds more likely to develop heart disease compared to those with moderate alcohol intake.
Dr. Jamal Rana, the lead author of the study, expressed surprise at the results, particularly in relation to younger women. He commented that the increased risk of heart disease in this group was unexpected, as heart disease is usually associated with older women.
Dr. Rana pointed out that there has been an increase in alcohol use among young and middle-aged women, possibly due to the misconception that they are protected against heart disease until they are older. However, the study shows that even at a young age, women who drink more than the recommended amount or binge drink are at risk for coronary heart disease.
One reason for this increased risk could be the fact that women’s bodies process alcohol differently than men’s, due to pharmacokinetic and physiologic differences.
One of the limitations of the study, as pointed out by Dr. Rana, was that the data on alcohol intake was self-reported by the patients, so there could have been under-reporting.
The study, considered preliminary, has not yet been published in a medical journal. It was funded by a grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Dr. Rana is scheduled to present the results on habitual alcohol intake and risk of cardiovascular disease at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session.
This study highlights the need for greater awareness about the potential risks of alcohol use, particularly for women. It also underscores the importance of incorporating questions about alcohol use into routine health assessments.