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Alcohol intake and nonfatal acute myocardial infarction in Japan
1Department of Public Health, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan.
Insights
This study found that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a reduced risk of nonfatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in men. Increased alcohol intake correlated with a progressively lower likelihood of experiencing AMI.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Nonfatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains a significant public health concern.
- Understanding modifiable risk factors, including lifestyle choices like alcohol consumption, is crucial for prevention.
- Previous research suggests a complex relationship between alcohol and cardiovascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between alcohol consumption and the risk of nonfatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a male population.
- To quantify the risk reduction associated with different levels of alcohol intake.
- To control for various established coronary heart disease risk factors.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted in Fukuoka, Japan, involving 89 male AMI patients and 271 controls.
- Data on alcohol consumption and other risk factors were collected using self-administered questionnaires.
- Statistical analysis included adjustments for age, occupation, smoking, exercise, BMI, hypertension, diabetes, and parental history of heart disease.
Main Results:
- Adjusted odds ratios for AMI decreased with increasing alcohol consumption.
- Compared to lifelong abstainers, current drinkers consuming ≥60 ml/day had a significantly lower risk (OR=0.13; 95% CI 0.05-0.36).
- Consumption of 30-59 ml/day also showed a protective effect (OR=0.31; 95% CI 0.11-0.83).
Conclusions:
- Alcohol consumption, particularly moderate to heavy intake, appears to be associated with a reduced risk of nonfatal acute myocardial infarction in men.
- These findings contribute to the evidence suggesting a cardioprotective role of alcohol.
- Further research may explore the mechanisms underlying this association.
Abstract:
The relation between alcohol and nonfatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was examined in a case-control study of 89 male patients and 271 control subjects in Fukuoka, Japan. Patients admitted for the first AMI at 2 hospitals in Fukuoka City were aged 40 to 69 years, and control subjects were recruited based on the telephone directory of the city. Information on alcohol drinking and potential coronary risk factors was obtained by using a self-administered questionnaire, and past drinkers were separated from lifelong abstainers in the analysis. After adjustment for age, occupation, cigarette smoking, strenuous exercise, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and parental heart disease, the risk of AMI was progressively less with increasing levels of alcohol consumption. With those who never drank as a referent, adjusted odds ratios for current drinkers consuming less than 30, 30 to 59, and greater than or equal to 60 ml/day of alcohol were 1.11 (95% confidence interval 0.51 to 2.42), 0.31 (0.11 to 0.83), and 0.13 (0.05 to 0.36), respectively. These findings add to the body of data showing that alcohol drinkers are less likely to have AMI.