A new scientific study has found that heavy alcohol consumption is linked to earlier and more severe strokes. The study was published in the Journal of Neuroscience Neurologyshows that people who drink a lot of alcohol experience brain bleeds an average of 11 years earlier than those who drink less alcohol. In addition, their bleeding is larger and more difficult to treat.
This study helps to better understand the effects of alcohol on the brain and its relationship to stroke, particularly intracerebral hemorrhage, one of the most dangerous and disabling forms of stroke.
Alcohol and stroke
According to the study, people who drank three or more alcoholic drinks a day had a stroke an average of 11 years earlier than those who drank less than three drinks a day. In addition, their bleeding was larger and difficult to treat.
The researchers say the data do not provide direct evidence that alcohol causes earlier and more difficult-to-treat bleeding, but they do support previous research linking excessive alcohol consumption to blood vessel damage and heart disease.
Dr. Bruce Owbiagele, professor of neurology at the University of California, San Francisco, noted, “Alcohol in large amounts is toxic to brain cells.” This is supported by the results of studies that show that alcohol increases blood pressure and reduces the amount of blood clotting cells, both of which are directly related to the severity of bleeding and strokes.
How does alcohol affect brain health?
A Massachusetts General Hospital study of 1,600 patients treated for brain hemorrhages shows that heavy drinkers have more blood pressure problems and fewer blood clotting cells, putting them at a much higher risk of brain hemorrhages.
Brain MRI scans taken in the study showed that people who drank a lot of alcohol had more fragile, stiffer and more leaky brain blood vessels than those who drank less alcohol. This may explain why alcohol users are more likely to experience brain hemorrhages and more severe health consequences.
Dr. Edip Hurol, lead author of the study, noted that people who drink a lot of alcohol are also more likely to show signs of brain aging, including damage to the white matter. In addition, after a stroke, they often become 90% more dependent on assistance with daily activities such as dressing, bathing or ambulation.
What does this mean for our health?
Studies have shown that even two alcoholic drinks a day can accelerate the development of brain hemorrhages and lead to an early stroke. This suggests that drinking even small amounts of alcohol can have long-term effects on brain health, increasing blood vessel damage and increasing the risk of strokes.
It is important for people who want to maintain good brain health to be careful with their alcohol consumption. Regular alcohol consumption can have serious consequences, so it is worth choosing a responsible approach to this habit.
