According to researchers at Kaiser Permanente Northern California, women who drink alcohol are at greater risk of developing heart disease. The study, recently presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session, analysed data from 430,000 people aged 18-65.

To study the link between alcohol consumption and the risk of coronary heart disease over four years of follow-up, subjects were free of heart disease at the onset. By the end of the study period, 3,018 participants were diagnosed with coronary heart disease.

The scientists noted that the incidence of this condition increased with alcohol consumption levels.

Moreover, the link between alcohol and cardiovascular disease appears to be stronger in women. Women who reported heavy drinking (more than eight drinks a week) had a 45% higher risk of heart disease than those who reported moderate drinking (three to seven drinks a week).

This is comparable to a 33% risk among men.

Women who reported moderate drinking had a 29% higher risk than those who reported low consumption (one to two drinks a week). Meanwhile, women who engaged in binge drinking (more than three drinks in a single day) were 68% more likely to develop heart disease than those who reported moderate alcohol consumption.

“For women, we find consistently higher risk even without binge drinking,” study lead author Jamal Rana pointed out. “Women feel they’re protected against heart disease until they’re older, but this study shows that even when you’re young or middle-aged, if you are a heavy alcohol user or binge drink, you are at risk of coronary heart disease.”

The experts point out that alcohol increases blood pressure and can lead to “metabolic changes that are associated with inflammation and obesity”. They add that women process alcohol differently from men, which modifies their risks.

Despite some limitations to be taken into account – notably the declarative nature of responses – the research “calls attention to the health risks of alcohol consumption and underscores the importance of considering alcohol use in heart disease risk assessment and prevention efforts”.

“When it comes to heart disease, the No. 1 thing that comes to mind is smoking, and we do not think about alcohol as one of the vital signs,” Rana said. “I think a lot more awareness is needed, and alcohol should be part of routine health assessments moving forward.”