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Binge drinking an independent risk factor for all strokes - 9 Dec 2008
Reference: Sundell, L. Salomaa, V. et al. 2008, ‘Increased stroke risk is related to a binge drinking habit.’ Stroke vol. 39, pp. 3179-3184.
Sporadic binge drinking is an independent risk factor for stroke, according to a recent prospective study.
Whilst heavy alcohol consumption increases the risk for all strokes, and moderate regular alcohol intake is linked to a lower ischaemic stroke risk, the impact of sporadic binge-drinking on stroke risk had been unclear. The study analysed data from a prospective cohort of 15,965 people aged 25 to 64 years who participated in a national risk factor survey and had no history of stroke at baseline.
A binge-drinking pattern was defined as having six or more drinks in one session for men, and four or more drinks for women.
Over ten years of follow-up, the risk for ischaemic stroke was 1.99 among binge drinkers compared with non–binge drinkers. The association remained statistically significant after adjustment for relevant variables. Binge drinking was also linked to 39% higher risk of suffering any type of stroke. The mechanisms for the link were not clear stroke risk, but large doses of alcohol have short-term cardiovascular effects that may be detrimental.