Alcohol consumption and arterial stiffness

Authors of a study published in the journal Cardiovascular Toxicology state that the relationship between alcohol consumption and cardiovascular disease risk is complex. Low-to-moderate daily alcohol consumption (1–2 drinks/day) is associated with reduced risk, whereas greater amounts of alcohol consumption and a “binge” pattern of drinking are associated with increased cardiovascular risk and mortality. Arterial stiffness may help explain the complex relationship.
An integrated review summarises data from studies examining the associations between alcohol consumption and pulse wave velocity, a gold standard measure of arterial stiffness.
Findings among the different studies reviewed were inconsistent with methodological challenges related to alcohol use assessment. While making specific conclusions regarding this relationship is tenuous; the data suggest that excessive alcohol consumption or a binge drinking pattern is associated with increased arterial stiffness.
Source: Hwang, CL., Muchira, J., Hibner, B.A. et al. Alcohol Consumption: A New Risk Factor for Arterial Stiffness?. Cardiovasc Toxicol 22, 236–245 (2022).