There is no amount of alcohol that is considered “safe” for your health. In fact, studies have found that those who frequently consume heavy amounts of alcohol open themselves to a greater risk of stroke.
Researchers define heavy alcohol use as having three or more drinks daily, with one drink equaling to a 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine or a 1.5 ounce shot of liquor.
“Regular heavy drinking increases your blood pressure and over time, these consistently high levels can damage blood vessels in the brain – putting you at risk of a stroke,” says Hebah Hefzy, M.D., a vascular neurologist at Henry Ford Health. “Additionally, alcohol use can raise your cholesterol and increase inflammation – all contributors to your stroke risk.”
Here, Dr. Hefzy breaks down some of the devastating effects alcohol can have on your brain and what you can do to take action to manage your stroke risk.
How Alcohol Affects The Brain
While other vices like smoking and tobacco use also increase your risk for stroke, quitting these habits will decrease your stroke risk over time. The effects of alcohol, however, are much more permanent.
“Alcohol use has more of a cumulative effect on the brain that is irreversible,” Dr. Hefzy warns. “Alcohol consumption can shrink the back part of your brain which can cause balance issues. It can also cause complex vitamin B deficiencies – impacting cognition and causing an alcohol-related dementia.”
Dr. Hefzy also notes that men and women are impacted by alcohol consumption differently in that women will see a greater impact to their health even if consuming less alcohol over time.
How Alcohol Influences Stroke Risk
It isn’t just an increased risk of stroke that you have to be aware of with heavy drinking. Alcohol consumption is also associated with bigger brain bleeds – meaning the stroke you have may be larger and more devastating.
“The platelets in your blood don’t work correctly to form clots when you are drinking,” says Dr. Hefzy. “This means that if you would have a bleeding stroke, it would be harder to stop the bleed.”
Dr. Hefzy notes that this is especially something to be aware of around the holidays when drinking more than usual is the norm; binge drinking can cause a “holiday heart syndrome”, or transient abnormal heart rhythm that can cause stroke. The stress of the season alone can impact your health; it isn’t worth it to make things worse by over consuming alcohol as well.
Reducing Your Stroke Risk
Besides alcohol abstinence, Dr. Hefzy suggests the following to keep your stroke risk at bay:
- Regularly monitor your blood pressure levels.
- Utilize the DASH (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) diet that prioritizes fruits and vegetables while limiting sodium consumption.
- Exercise regularly – even when weather doesn’t permit you to be outside.
- Stay compliant with prescribed medications.
Reviewed by Dr. Hebah Hefzy, a vascular neurologist who sees patients at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital.
