BACKGROUND: Moderate alcohol consumption has been shown to protect against cardiovascular disease. Aortic stiffness can be regarded as a marker of cardiovascular disease risk. Previously we have shown an inverse to J-shaped association between alcohol intake and aortic stiffness in middle-aged and elderly men and postmenopausal women. OBJECTIVE: In the present study we examined whether a relation between alcohol intake and aortic stiffness is already present at a younger age. DESIGN: Cross-sectional data of a cohort study in men and women aged 28 years were analysed stratified by gender (240 men and 283 women). MEASUREMENTS: Alcohol intake was derived from a questionnaire and aortic stiffness was assessed by pulse-wave velocity measurement. RESULTS: In women an alcoholic beverage intake of >/=1 glass/day is associated with a 0.36 m/s (95% confidence interval, -0.58 to -0.14) lower pulse-wave velocity compared with non-drinkers. In men alcohol intake is also inversely related to pulse-wave velocity, but this was not significant. These findings were independent of age, blood pressure and heart rate. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that moderate intake of alcohol may affect vascular stiffness at an early age, notably in women. These findings may be viewed as compatible with a vascular protective effect of alcohol that expresses well before the occurrence of symptomatic cardiovascular disease.
BACKGROUND: Moderate alcohol consumption has been shown to protect against cardiovascular disease. Aortic stiffness can be regarded as a marker of cardiovascular disease risk. Previously we have shown an inverse to J-shaped association between alcohol intake and aortic stiffness in middle-aged and elderly men and postmenopausal women. OBJECTIVE: In the present study we examined whether a relation between alcohol intake and aortic stiffness is already present at a younger age. DESIGN: Cross-sectional data of a cohort study in men and women aged 28 years were analysed stratified by gender (240 men and 283 women). MEASUREMENTS: Alcohol intake was derived from a questionnaire and aortic stiffness was assessed by pulse-wave velocity measurement. RESULTS: In women an alcoholic beverage intake of >/=1 glass/day is associated with a 0.36 m/s (95% confidence interval, -0.58 to -0.14) lower pulse-wave velocity compared with non-drinkers. In menalcohol intake is also inversely related to pulse-wave velocity, but this was not significant. These findings were independent of age, blood pressure and heart rate. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that moderate intake of alcohol may affect vascular stiffness at an early age, notably in women. These findings may be viewed as compatible with a vascular protective effect of alcohol that expresses well before the occurrence of symptomatic cardiovascular disease.
Authors: Katherine A Sauder; David N Proctor; Mosuk Chow; Lisa M Troy; Na Wang; Joseph A Vita; Ramachandran S Vasan; Gary F Mitchell; Paul F Jacques; Naomi M Hamburg; Sheila G West Journal: Br J Nutr Date: 2015-04-17 Impact factor: 3.718
Authors: Ruth Morley; Terence Dwyer; Kristen L Hynes; Jennifer Cochrane; Anne-Louise Ponsonby; Helena C Parkington; John B Carlin Journal: Neonatology Date: 2009-10-28 Impact factor: 4.035