According to a new study, unstable drinking patterns may be linked to an increased risk for heart disease, whereas consistent moderate drinking could have cardioprotective effects. The findings were published in the journal BMC Medicine.
Researchers from the University College London and the University of Cambridge conducted a meta-analysis of 6 cohort studies (5 British and 1 French), which included 35,132 individuals.
The findings revealed that individuals who consistently adhered to the sensible drinking guidelines in the United Kingdom over 10 years have a lower risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) compared with those who inconsistently drank in moderation, former drinkers and never drinkers (confined to women alone). The observed incidence of CHD was highest for former drinkers and lowest for consistently heavy drinkers; however, the authors warn that the estimates of CHD risk in heavy drinkers could be attributed to their undersampling in the surveys.
According to the authors, unstable drinking patterns seem to be associated with increased CHD risk possibly because such behaviours also reflect other lifestyle changes such as periods of ill-health or life stress.
