Chronic Heavy Alcohol Consumption and Asymptomatic Cardiovascular Effects: An Observational Study

Abstract

Aim: The association between chronic heavy alcohol consumption and a number of adverse cardiovascular consequences such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, dysrhythmia, coronary artery disease, sudden cardiac death, and particularly dilated cardiomyopathy is becoming increasingly more evident. In this study, our objective was to determine the preclinical cardiac effects of chronic heavy alcohol consumption in young and middle-aged asymptomatic healthy individuals. Material and Methods: The study is planned as cross-sectional and observational. A total of 40 men between 25 and 55 years of age with weekly alcohol consumption of = 850 g for a minimum duration of 8 years (chronic heavy alcohol group) and 40 men with no alcohol use (control group) were included. The demographic characteristics, results of echocardiographic and electrocardiographic assessments and epicardial adipose tissue thickness were recorded. Results: Individuals with alcohol use had significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures, increased left atrial antero-posterior diameter, increased interventricular septum and posterior wall thickness, and higher incidence of stage 1 diastolic dysfunction (p< 0.05). Epicardial adipose tissue thickness was higher in alcohol users group compared to the control group (5.46 +/- 1.65 vs 3.20 +/- 1.03, p = 0.0001). Also, the incidence of atrial fibrillation and right bundle branch block were increased compared to the control group. Discussion: Our results have shown that chronic heavy alcohol consumption is associated with diastolic dysfunction, increased epicardial adipose tissue thickness, electrocardiographic disturbances, and atrial fibrillation. These findings show that alcohol use leads to a variety of asymptomatic changes in cardiac functions.