An average of 100,000 people in the UK have strokes each year. It is one of the leading causes of deaths in the UK, according to the Stroke Association. Like many cardiovascular diseases, you can minimize your risk of getting a stroke by implementing some lifestyle changes such as reducing the amount of alcohol you consume. Now, a study has shown that even a moderate amount of alcohol could double your risk of suffering a stroke in the matter of hours.
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Fast track stroke
In 2010, a group of researchers set out to explore the direct effect, if any, of alcohol consumption on stroke. Prior to this research, there was strong evidence that drinking too much alcohol too often increases stroke risk prompting the caution for moderate consumption. But Murray Mittleman, director of the Cardiovascular Epidemiology Research in the Harvard Medical School found that even drinking light to moderate amounts of alcohol may not necessarily reduce risk.
The evidence on heavy drinking is consistent, both in the long and short term, it raises stroke risk. But we're finding it's more complicated with light to moderate drinking.
Alcohol and stroke
Research shows that drinking large amounts of alcohol can greatly increase your risk of having a stroke. This is because alcohol contributes to a number of medical conditions that are risk factors for stroke, the Stroke Association says. These risk factors include diabetes, liver damage, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation – a type of irregular heartbeat – and being overweight.
The NHS advises that:
If you have a condition that increases your risk of a stroke, it's important to manage it effectively. For example, taking medicine you've been prescribed to lower high blood pressure or cholesterol levels.
Sources used:
Daily Express: Hundreds of stroke patients admit drinking same beverage 'hours' before brain attack
NHS: Stroke
