Experts have warned that young adults who consume only one alcoholic beverage per day could increase their risk of stroke by one-fifth.
According to new research, people in their 20s and 30s who consume moderate to excessive amounts of alcohol may be more likely to suffer a stroke than those who consume low or no amounts.
A team from Seoul National University reviewed records from a Korean national database for young individuals who were asked about their alcohol usage during four annual health checkups.
Those who consumed 105 grams or more of alcohol per week were classified as moderate to heavy drinkers.
This is almost one drink every day, equivalent to nearly six pints of medium-strength beer, eight small glasses of wine, or nine large shots of spirits.
During the six-year trial period, 3,153 individuals out of the 1.5 million participants experienced a stroke.
Analysis indicated that moderate to heavy drinkers for at least two years were 20 percent more likely to suffer a stroke than those who consumed less or none.
The risk of stroke increased as the number of years of moderate to excessive drinking increased.
People with two years of moderate to heavy drinking had an increased risk of 19%, those with three years had an increased risk of 22%, and those with four years had an increased risk of 23%.
The connection was mostly attributable to an elevated risk of hemorrhagic stroke, or brain-bleeding stroke.
After accounting for additional risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure, smoking, and body mass index, researchers found these results.
According to the charity Stroke in the United Kingdom, one in five stroke patients is currently under the age of 55.
The author of the study Eue-Keun Choi stated, “The incidence of stroke among young adults has increased over the past few decades, and stroke among young adults is a leading cause of mortality and severe disability.”
Since more than 90 percent of the burden of stroke can be attributed to potentially modifiable risk factors, including alcohol consumption, and since a stroke in young adults severely impacts both the individual and society by limiting their activities during their most productive years, any strategy to prevent stroke should emphasize reducing alcohol consumption among young adults with heavy drinking habits.
The researchers wrote in the journal Neurology that various potential pathways could explain the association between drinking and stroke.
Consuming excessive alcohol can cause hypertension, or high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for stroke.
Additionally, alcohol can raise the likelihood of atrial fibrillation, which can lead to an irregular heartbeat and increase the risk of stroke.
The researchers noted that their study was limited because it only included Koreans, suggesting that the risk may not apply to other races or ethnicities.
In addition to filling out surveys, participants may have forgotten how much alcohol they consumed.
It is suggested that adults do not consume more than 14 units of alcohol each week in the United Kingdom.
