Factors influencing the relation between alcohol and cardiovascular disease

Purpose of review: Light-to-moderate alcohol intake is known to have cardioprotective properties in some subsets of the population. This review focuses on factors that modify the relation between alcohol and cardiovascular disease. Recent findings: Several large American studies have shown that the J-shaped relation is influenced by age and coronary heart disease risk-factor status since only middle-aged and elderly and those already at risk of developing coronary heart disease seem protected by drinking alcohol. It has also been suggested that only those who have a steady - in contrast to a binge - intake of alcohol have benefits with regard to cardiovascular disease. Prospective studies from the UK, Sweden and Denmark have further suggested that wine drinkers have a lower mortality than beer and spirits drinkers. Summary: The J-shaped relation between alcohol intake and cardiovascular disease seems to be influenced by age, gender, drinking pattern and type of alcohol.