ABSTRACT
The effects (if any) of ethanol intake or physical inactivity on stroke are controversial. In most studies excessive alcohol intake increased stroke risk. This is presumably mediated, in part, by the acute rise in blood pressure associated with alcohol intake, and/or ethanolinduced cardiac dysrhythmias. Some studies have linked stroke with a recent excessive ingestion of alcohol; this is particularly common in hemorrhagic stroke, Asian populations, and locales where binge drinking is common. The issue of whether ‘moderate’ or ‘light drinking’ (≤ 90 or < 30 oz of ethanol/ week, respectively) reduces stroke risk is more contentious. This has been observed in many case-control and cohort studies, as well as in the Physicians’ Health Study. There is always the question of whether this level of consumption is highly associated with other advantageous health habits that independently reduce the risk of stroke and cardiovascular events. The finding that even one alcoholic drink a week significantly reduced the risk of stroke may be as close to a reductio ad absurdum as can be found in epidemiology. The only study so far done about increasing alcohol consumption from none to ‘light drinking’ suggests a benefit. Whether this can be accomplished in the general population is open to question.
