Regular heavy alcohol consumption may increase the risk of dangerous brain bleeds and accelerate long-term brain damage, according to a study published November 5 in Neurology.
Researchers defined heavy drinking as consuming three or more alcoholic drinks per day. Adults in this category were found to experience bleeding strokes—where a blood vessel in the brain ruptures—an average of 11 years earlier than those who drank less.
“Bleeding strokes are typically more dangerous and disabling than the more common ischemic strokes caused by clots,” explained Dr. Mitchell Elkind, chief science officer of brain health and stroke at the American Heart Association.
In the U.S., nearly 800,000 people suffer strokes each year, and 10% of those are bleeding strokes. Risk increases with age, high blood pressure, obesity, and use of stimulants like cocaine or methamphetamine.
The study analyzed 1,600 adults hospitalized for intracerebral hemorrhage at Massachusetts General Hospital. While most participants were White with a median age of 75, researchers noted that retrospective data could be influenced by self-reported alcohol consumption following life-altering events.
Experts recommend managing blood pressure, reducing alcohol intake, exercising regularly, and following a heart-healthy diet like the Mediterranean diet. Dr. Gurol, the study’s lead author, advises those at higher risk to limit alcohol to very rare occasions—no more than one drink per day and only up to six times a year.
“Even moderate alcohol use can increase blood pressure, which heightens the risk of all types of strokes, including bleeding,” said Elkind.
For those looking to enjoy social drinks without the risk, non-alcoholic options may offer a safer alternative.
