Protective Effects of Alcohol to Blood Pressure and Stroke
A relatively high alcohol intake (>4 drinks/d) is associated with elevated blood pressure and an increased risk of stroke.
Recent evidence from cohort studies suggest that the association between alcohol and hypertension may be J-shaped, such that light and moderate drinkers have a modestly reduced risk of developing hypertension, although the exact mechanism for this effect is unknown.
Studies on the association between moderate alcohol consumption and stroke have been mixed.
Several case control and cohort studies have seen a reduced risk of stroke among moderate drinkers.
In that studies that found benefit, the reduction is usually limited to ischemic rather than hemorrhagic stroke.
Clearly the data support no increase in ischemic risk at moderate levels, but more work is needed to determine if drinking patterns if influence risk of stroke.
Protective Effects of Alcohol to Blood Pressure and Stroke
