Approved Research

Effects of alcohol abstinence on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with hypertension

Lay summary

Alcohol consumption is analogous to the proverbial double-edged sword. Light-to-mediate alcohol intake may significantly reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and mortality, but heavy alcohol intake may do the opposite. Thus 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee recommended drinking in moderation by limiting intake to 2 drinks or less in a day for men and 1 drink or less in a day for women. Nevertheless, the 2021 American Heart Association dietary guidelines on cardiovascular health recommended zero alcohol consumption due to the noncardiovascular harms of alcohol. The previous studies on alcohol consumption primarily focused on drinkers and non-drinkers. Only two studies focused on the alcohol abstainer, demonstrating that alcohol abstinence may significantly reduce the reoccurrence of atrial fibrillation and decrease the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation compared with light-to-heavy alcohol intake. Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality, affecting at least 1.13 billion people worldwide. Recent studies demonstrated that alcohol consumption was significantly associated with an increased risk of hypertension. Whether alcohol abstinence leads to benefits on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with hypertension remains unclear. Whether alcohol abstinence leads to a benefit on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with hypertension remains unclear. Our study aims to assess cardiovascular risk after alcohol abstinence in patients with hypertension by conducting a prospective cohort study. We will evaluate the effect of alcohol abstinence on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with hypertension using Cox regression analysis. Multiple statistical methods will be used to reduce the confounding bias, including the inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis, multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards model analysis, and a PS matching analysis. Our project duration is expected to be three years. Our study will provide some evidence about the effect of alcohol abstinence on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with hypertension.