The risk of aortic valve sclerosis can be modified. This is an important fact. Aortic valve sclerosis (thickening) is a common health problem. It’s especially so in developed countries. It increases the risk of death from cardiovascular causes by about 50%.
The risk increases with these factors.
- Being older
- Smoking tobacco
- Being male
- High blood pressure
- High lipoprotein (Lp) (a) level
- Diabetes mellitus
- Having had rheumatic fever
- High low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level
Can drinking reduce the risk of aortic valve sclerosis (AVS)? Researchers looked at average daily drinking and risk of aortic valve sclerosis. They gathered data from 2,022 persons aged 45 to 81. The average quantity and frequency of drinking over the previous 30 days was calculated. The incidence of AVS was also measured.
The prevalence of AVS was almost one-third (32.3%). Light to moderate drinking was linked with a lower risk of aortic valve sclerosis. Heavy drinking increased that risk. Average daily alcohol had a J-shaped link with risk of AVS.
That is, moderate drinking reduced risk below that of abstaining. Heavy drinking raised it to that of not drinking. Very heavy drinking raised it above that of abstaining.
Resources: Aortic Valve Sclerosis
Web
Source
Markus, M, et al. Light to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with lower risk of aortic valve sclerosis. The Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP). Arter Thromb Vascu Bio.
Readings
- Costanzo, S., et al. Alcohol consumption and mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2010, 55, 1339-1347.
- Masunaga, N., et al. Effects of alcohol consumption on cardiovascular events. Circ J. 2006, 70, 1263-68.
- Mukamal, K.J., et al. Alcohol consumption and cardiovascular mortality among U.S. adults, 1987 to 2002. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2010, 55, 1328-1335.
- Rimm, E., et al. Review of moderate alcohol consumption and reduced risk of coronary heart disease. BMJ, 1996, 312, 731-36.