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Monday, August 18, 2008

Incidence of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease in Danish Men and Women With a Prolonged Heavy Alcohol Intake
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research Published Online: 18 Aug 2008

Several epidemiological studies have found U- or J-shaped relationships between alcohol intake and cardiovascular conditions. The influence of heavy drinking is, however, sparsely studied. The objective of the present study was to examine whether alcohol addicts have higher incidence rates of cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases than the population in general.\

During the period 1977 to 2001 a total of 9,397 events of cardio- and cerebrovascular disease were observed. In both men and women, statistically significant higher incidence rates than would be expected in a standard population were observed for cardiovascular diseases (e.g., ischemic heart diseases, men: SIR = 1.76; 95% CI 1.69–1.83; women: SIR = 2.44; 95% CI 2.19–2.73) and cerebrovascular diseases (e.g., hemorrhagic stroke, men: SIR = 2.71; 95% CI 2.45–2.99; women: SIR = 2.77; 95% CI 2.18–3.48).

The study indicates increased risks of cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases in subjects with an excessive alcohol intake.

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