Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health and doctors prove it to us every day. Young and middle-aged women who drink more than one alcoholic drink a day on average may be more likely to develop heart disease than those who drink less, according to a new study from Kaiser Permanente Northern California.
50% greater risk of developing coronary heart disease
And for good reason, study participants who reported drinking eight or more alcoholic drinks per week are from 33 to 51% increased chance of developing coronary heart disease. While it is women who drink excessively – three alcoholic drinks a day 68% are more likely to develop coronary heart disease than those who drink in moderation, research says.
To carry out this study, the authors used data from 432,265 people, aged 18 to 65. Of these, approximately 243,000 men and 189,000 women completed routine assessments between 2014 and 2015, in which they recorded their alcohol use. The researchers then looked at coronary heart disease diagnoses among the participants over the next four years.
During this study period, 3,108 participants were diagnosed with coronary heart disease. Higher levels of alcohol consumption were associated with a higher incidence of coronary heart disease. Men and women who reported heavy episodic drinking, or binge drinking, were among those at highest risk.
Women are drinking more and more
Worrying figures, because in France, the share of women between 35 and 55 who declare having consumed alcohol every day in the last twelve months increased between 2017 and 2021, going from 22.3% to 27.9%, says a study by Santé Publique France published last January.
“ There is an increasing prevalence of alcohol use among young and middle-aged women because women may feel protected from heart disease until they get older, but this study shows that even in this age group, Women who drink more than the recommended amount of one drink per day or tend to drink excessively are at risk of coronary heart disease “, he wrote Jamal Ranacardiologist at Permanente Medical Group and lead author of the study.
In January 2024, Madmoizelle met two women who were former alcoholics and are now sober. Their heartfelt testimony challenges many preconceived ideas we have about female alcoholism.
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Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
