Individuals who consume three or more pints of beer or glasses of wine per day may heighten their risk of the most severe type of stroke, according to recent research findings. The study indicates that heavy drinkers are prone to experiencing a more severe stroke at a younger age and are three times more likely to exhibit signs of brain aging.
The research conducted in the United States reveals that people who regularly consume three or more alcoholic beverages daily, categorized as “heavy drinkers,” are at risk of suffering a bleeding stroke approximately 11 years earlier than those who do not fall into this drinking category. These heavy drinkers are also more susceptible to “intracerebral hemorrhage,” a type of stroke resulting from brain bleeding, which tends to occur earlier and with increased severity compared to non-heavy drinkers.
Published in the journal Neurology, the study highlights that heavy drinkers are more inclined to display indications of cerebral small vessel disease, a condition characterized by damage to small blood vessels in the brain, leading to long-term brain impairment. Dr. Edip Gurol, the lead author from Harvard University, Boston, emphasized that intracerebral hemorrhage stands as the most fatal stroke type, with cerebral small vessel disease being its primary cause.
The research involved 1,600 adults with an average age of 75 who were hospitalized due to intracerebral hemorrhage. Information regarding alcohol consumption was provided during hospital admission. Heavy alcohol use was defined as consuming three or more alcoholic drinks daily, with each drink containing around 14 grams, or 0.6 ounces, of alcohol.
Among the participants, 104 individuals (7%) met the criteria for heavy alcohol use. Participants underwent brain scans to assess stroke severity and detect signs of cerebral small vessel disease. The study team compared heavy drinkers with those who consumed fewer than three drinks per day or abstained from alcohol entirely.
The study revealed that heavy drinkers experienced a stroke at an average age of 64, in contrast to an average age of 75 for non-heavy drinkers, representing an 11-year gap. Additionally, heavy drinkers encountered brain bleeds that were on average 70% larger.
Dr. Gurol highlighted that heavy drinkers were twice as likely to experience bleeding in deep brain regions and nearly twice as likely to suffer from bleeding extending into the brain’s fluid-filled spaces, a complication known as intraventricular extension. These outcomes typically suggest poorer recovery and health outcomes among individuals who suffered brain bleeds.
Furthermore, heavy drinkers were over three times more likely to exhibit severe signs of white matter damage and nearly twice as likely to show a pattern of cerebral small vessel disease reflecting chronic damage due to high blood pressure. Dr. Gurol noted that heavy drinkers presented lower blood platelet counts and slightly elevated blood pressure upon hospital admission, factors that could contribute to stroke severity and recovery potential.
Dr. Gurol emphasized that reducing heavy alcohol consumption may not only decrease the risk of bleeding stroke but could also slow the progression of cerebral small vessel disease, subsequently reducing the likelihood of another stroke, cognitive decline, and long-term disability. Encouraging lifestyle changes such as alcohol cessation should be integrated into stroke prevention strategies, especially for individuals at higher risk.