Drinking three or more pints of beer or glasses of wine daily can significantly increase the risk of the most severe form of stroke, according to recent research. Individuals classified as heavy drinkers are more prone to experiencing a severe stroke at a younger age and are three times more likely to exhibit signs of brain aging, as indicated by scientists.
A study conducted in the United States revealed that those consuming three or more alcoholic beverages daily, categorized as heavy drinkers, are at risk of suffering a bleeding stroke approximately 11 years earlier than non-heavy drinkers. Moreover, individuals regularly consuming three or more alcoholic drinks per day are more susceptible to encountering “intracerebral hemorrhage,” a type of stroke resulting from brain bleeding, at a younger age and with increased severity compared to non-heavy drinkers.
Published in the journal Neurology, the findings also highlight that heavy drinkers are more prone to displaying indications of cerebral small vessel disease, characterized by damage to small blood vessels in the brain, representing a form of long-term brain injury. Lead researcher Dr. Edip Gurol from Harvard University, Boston, emphasized that intracerebral hemorrhage is the most fatal type of stroke, with cerebral small vessel disease being its primary cause.
While prior studies have linked heavy drinking to a heightened stroke risk, this research suggests that heavy alcohol consumption not only escalates the severity of a bleeding stroke but may also expedite the long-term damage to the brain’s small vessels.
The study involved 1,600 adults with an average age of 75 who were hospitalized due to intracerebral hemorrhage. Details on alcohol consumption were provided during hospital admission by either the patient or a companion.
The researchers defined heavy alcohol use as regularly consuming three or more alcoholic drinks per day, with each drink containing about 14 grams or 0.6 ounces of alcohol. In the study, 104 participants (7%) met the criteria for heavy alcohol use.
Participants underwent brain scans to evaluate the stroke severity and identify signs of cerebral small vessel disease. Subsequently, the research team compared heavy drinkers to those who consumed fewer than three drinks daily or abstained from alcohol.
The study revealed that heavy drinkers experienced a stroke at an average age of 64, in contrast to the 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 encounter bleeding extending into the brain’s fluid-filled spaces, a complication known as intraventricular extension. These findings typically indicate poorer recovery and health outcomes among individuals with brain bleeds.
Furthermore, heavy drinkers were over three times more likely to exhibit severe signs of white matter damage, known as white matter hyperintensities, often caused by cerebral small vessel disease. They were also nearly twice as likely to display a pattern of cerebral small vessel disease reflecting chronic damage resulting from high blood pressure.
Dr. Gurol noted that heavy drinkers had lower blood platelet counts and slightly elevated blood pressure upon hospital admission compared to non-heavy drinkers, factors that may contribute to stroke severity and recovery. He emphasized the importance of reducing heavy alcohol consumption to lower the risk of bleeding strokes, potentially slowing the progression of cerebral small vessel disease and reducing the likelihood of future strokes, cognitive decline, and long-term disability.
He added that promoting lifestyle changes such as abstaining from alcohol should be incorporated into stroke prevention initiatives, particularly for high-risk individuals.