Relationships between alcohol intake and cardiovascular risk factors in middle-aged men with hypo-HDL cholesterolemia

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Metabolic Health
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Low HDL cholesterol is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
• Alcohol consumption, particularly light to moderate, is known to reduce ischemic heart disease risk, primarily via HDL cholesterol elevation.
• The relationship between alcohol intake and cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with hypo-HDL cholesterolemia requires further clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between alcohol consumption and various cardiovascular risk factors in middle-aged men diagnosed with hypo-HDL cholesterolemia.
• To determine how different levels of alcohol intake influence lipid profiles and other metabolic markers in this specific population.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of middle-aged men with hypo-HDL cholesterolemia (< 40 mg/dl) was categorized into four groups based on daily alcohol consumption: non-drinkers, light (< 22 g/day), moderate (≥22 to <44 g/day), and heavy (≥44 g/day).
• Cardiovascular risk factors, including blood pressure, lipid levels (triglycerides, HDL, LDL), and composite indices, were compared among the groups.
• Analyses were adjusted for age, smoking status, and regular exercise history, with multivariate logistic regression confirming the observed trends.

Main Results:

• Moderate and heavy alcohol consumption were associated with significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and elevated lipid accumulation product and cardio-metabolic index compared to non-drinkers.
• Triglycerides and the triglycerides-to-HDL cholesterol ratio increased significantly with alcohol intake across all drinking groups (light, moderate, heavy) compared to non-drinkers.
• LDL cholesterol and the LDL cholesterol-to-HDL cholesterol ratio showed significant decreases in light, moderate, and heavy drinkers compared to non-drinkers, with a trend for further reduction as alcohol intake increased.

Conclusions:

• In men with hypo-HDL cholesterolemia, alcohol consumption demonstrates a positive association with blood pressure and triglyceride levels.
• Conversely, alcohol intake is inversely associated with LDL cholesterol levels in this population.
• These findings highlight a complex interplay between alcohol consumption, lipid metabolism, and cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with low HDL cholesterol.