0.1-7 drinks/week reduce risk of heart failure

Objectives:
Controversy exists on the association between alcohol consumption and risk of heart failure (HF). Therefore, this review article (meta-analysis) has been conducted.

Is there an association between alcohol consumption and risk of heart failure?

Study design:
This review article included a total of 13 prospective cohort studies, with 13,738 heart failure cases among 355,804 participants.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found light alcohol drinking (0.1-7 drinks/week) significantly reduced risk of heart failure with 14% [RR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.81-0.90]. However, there was no statistically significant association between moderate (7.1-14 drinks/week), high (14.1-28 drinks/week), or heavy (>28 drinks/week) alcohol consumption and heart failure risk.

The investigators found former drinking significantly increased risk of heart failure with 22% [RR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.11-1.33] compared with never or occasional drinking.

The investigators concluded that light alcohol drinking (0.1-7 drinks/week) is associated with a lower risk of heart failure, while former drinking is associated with a higher risk of heart failure.

Original title:
Alcohol consumption and risk of heart failure: Meta-analysis of 13 prospective studies by Susanna C. Larsson, […], Alicja Wolk

Link:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0261561417301681

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more information/studies on alcohol consumption and cardiovascular diseases right here.