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Alcohol and ideal cardiovascular health: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Oluseye Ogunmoroti1, Olatokunbo Osibogun2, Robyn L McClelland3
1The Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Baltimore, Maryland.
Insights
Heavy alcohol consumption is linked to poorer cardiovascular health (CVH). Moderate drinking showed benefits for women
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Alcohol consumption's link to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is established, with moderate intake potentially reducing risk.
- The association between alcohol consumption and ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) using the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 (LS7) metrics remains unclear, especially concerning sex differences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between alcohol consumption patterns and ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) in a multi-ethnic population.
- To determine if these associations differ between men and women.
Main Methods:
- A study of 6506 participants (aged 45-84) free of CVD, assessing alcohol intake (never, former, current light, moderate, heavy) and CVH via LS7 scores.
- Multinomial logistic regression models were used to analyze associations, adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic factors.
Main Results:
- Heavy alcohol consumption (>2 drinks/day) was associated with lower odds of achieving average or optimal CVH compared to never drinkers.
- Binge drinking also correlated with unfavorable CVH. Light or moderate drinking showed no independent association with overall CVH.
- Women consuming 1-2 drinks/day had higher odds of optimal CVH compared to non-drinking women; this was not observed in men.
Conclusions:
- Heavy alcohol consumption is linked to unfavorable cardiovascular health (CVH).
- While light to moderate drinking may be associated with more favorable CVH in women, the overall association is not strong.
Background:
Alcohol consumption is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), with moderate drinkers having decreased CVD risk compared to non- and heavy drinkers. However, whether alcohol consumption is associated with ideal cardiovascular health (CVH), assessed by the American Heart Association's (AHA) Life's Simple 7 (LS7) metrics, and whether associations differ by sex, is uncertain.
Hypothesis:
Heavy alcohol consumption is associated with worse CVH.
Methods:
We explored associations between alcohol consumption and CVH in a multi-ethnic population including 6506 participants free of CVD, aged 45 to 84 years. Each LS7 metric was scored 0 to 2 points. Total score was categorized as inadequate (0-8), average (9-10) and optimal (11-14). Participants were classified as never, former or current drinkers. Current drinkers were categorized as <1 (light), 1 to 2 (moderate) and >2 (heavy) drinks/day. Multinomial logistic regression models assessed associations between alcohol and CVH, adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, and health insurance.
Results:
Mean (SD) age was 62 (10) years, 53% were women. Compared to never drinkers, those with >2 drinks/day were less likely to have average [0.61 (0.43-0.87)] and optimal CVH [0.29 (0.17-0.49)]. Binge drinking was also associated with unfavorable CVH. Overall, there was no independent association for light or moderate drinking with CVH. However, women with 1 to 2 drinks/day were more likely to have optimal CVH [1.85 (1.19-2.88)] compared to non-drinking women, which was not seen in men.
Conclusion:
Heavy alcohol consumption was associated with unfavorable CVH. Although light or moderate drinking may be associated with a more favorable CVH in women, overall, the association was not strong.
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