A recent study warns that individuals who consume three or more pints of beer or glasses of wine daily increase their risk of experiencing the deadliest form of stroke. The research indicates that heavy drinkers are more prone to severe strokes at a younger age and are three times more likely to exhibit signs of brain aging.
According to the American study published in Neurology, individuals who are classified as “heavy drinkers” and regularly consume three or more alcoholic drinks per day face a higher likelihood of suffering a bleeding stroke approximately 11 years earlier than non-heavy drinkers. These heavy drinkers are also at a greater risk of encountering “intracerebral haemorrhage,” a type of stroke caused by bleeding in the brain, with more severity and at a younger age compared to non-heavy drinkers.
The study involved 1,600 adults hospitalized for intracerebral haemorrhage, with an average age of 75. Heavy alcohol use was defined as consuming three or more alcoholic drinks daily, with each drink containing around 14 grams of alcohol. Among the participants, 7% were identified as heavy alcohol users.
Researchers conducted brain scans on the participants to evaluate the stroke severity and detect signs of cerebral small vessel disease. The study revealed that heavy drinkers experienced strokes at an average age of 64, while non-heavy drinkers had strokes at an average age of 75, showing an 11-year difference. Additionally, heavy drinkers had brain bleeds that were on average 70% larger.
Heavy drinkers were also more likely to exhibit severe signs of white matter damage, known as white matter hyperintensities, which are often associated with cerebral small vessel disease and chronic damage from high blood pressure. They also had lower blood platelet counts and slightly elevated blood pressure upon hospital admission, which could contribute to stroke severity and recovery difficulties.
Dr. Edip Gurol, the lead author of the study, emphasized that reducing heavy alcohol consumption could not only decrease the risk of bleeding stroke but also slow down the progression of cerebral small vessel disease, potentially reducing the chances of recurrent stroke, cognitive decline, and long-term disability. He stressed the importance of incorporating lifestyle changes, such as abstaining from alcohol, into stroke prevention strategies, especially for high-risk individuals.