Does Alcohol Consumption Decrease the Risk of Coronary Artery Calcification?

Decreased
coronary atherosclerosis is one possible mechanism to explain the
lower rates of coronary artery disease (CAD) outcomes observed
in light-to-moderate drinkers. To study this further, researchers
measured coronary artery calcification (using electron beam computed
tomography) and alcohol consumption in 1795 adults (aged 55 and
older) without known CAD.

In
analyses controlling for various cardiovascular risk factors, the
odds of extensive coronary calcification (calcium score of >=400,
a score associated with proven CAD) were significantly lower in
people who consumed the following:

• <1 drink per day (odds ratio [OR]
  0.5) or 1–2 drinks per day (OR 0.4) compared with those
  who did not drink
• <1 drink of wine per day (OR 0.7)
  or 1–2 drinks of wine per day (OR 0.5) compared with those
  who did not drink wine
• <1 drink of liquor per day (OR
  0.6) compared with those who did not drink liquor

Results did not differ between men and
women.

Comments:

According
to this study, light-to-moderate alcohol consumption decreases
odds of extensive coronary calcification in a population of asymptomatic
adults. This finding suggests a lower burden of coronary atherosclerosis
in light-to-moderate drinkers and is consistent with current public
health recommendations on lower-risk drinking. The influence of longitudinal
changes in drinking patterns and of heavy drinking on coronary calcification
was not ascertained.

Kevin
L. Kraemer, MD, MSc

Reference:

Vliegenthart
R, Oei HS, van den Elzen APM, et al. Alcohol consumption
and coronary calcification in a general population. Arch Int Med. 2004;164(21):2355–2360.