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Alcohol and acute ischemic stroke onset: the stroke onset study
Elizabeth Mostofsky1, Mary R Burger, Gottfried Schlaug
1Cardiovascular Epidemiology Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass 02215, USA.
Stroke
|July 17, 2010
Summary
Drinking alcohol temporarily increases the risk of ischemic stroke. This elevated stroke risk occurs within the hour after alcohol consumption, regardless of beverage type.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Heavy alcohol consumption is linked to increased ischemic stroke risk.
- Light to moderate alcohol intake may reduce stroke risk.
- The acute effects of transient alcohol exposure on stroke risk are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the acute risk of ischemic stroke following alcohol consumption.
- To determine the time window (induction time) between alcohol intake and stroke onset.
- To assess if stroke risk varies by alcohol type.
Main Methods:
- A case-crossover study design was employed.
- 390 stroke patients were interviewed (median 3 days post-stroke).
- Alcohol consumption within one hour before symptom onset was compared to usual consumption patterns.
Main Results:
- 104 patients consumed alcohol within 24 hours of stroke onset; 14 within 1 hour.
- Alcohol consumption within one hour of stroke onset showed a 2.3-fold increased relative risk (95% CI, 1.4-4.0).
- Similar risks were observed across different alcohol types and when excluding other triggers.
Conclusions:
- Alcohol ingestion transiently elevates the risk of ischemic stroke onset.
- The heightened risk is most significant in the hour immediately following alcohol consumption.
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