New Delhi

Young to middle-aged women who drink more than one alcoholic drink a day, on average, were more likely to develop coronary heart disease than people who drink less, according to new research presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session.

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The study said, the women who reported drinking eight or more alcoholic beverages per week were 33 to 51 per cent more likely to develop coronary heart disease. And women who binge drink three alcoholic beverages per day were 68 per cent more likely to develop coronary heart disease than those who drink in moderation.

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This study, which examined the relationship between alcohol consumption and heart disease in adults aged 18 to 65, is one of the biggest and most varied of its kind. Concerns about declining health outcomes are heightened by the fact that younger Americans are experiencing an increase in heart attacks and other cardiac diseases.

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Furthermore, compared to previous decades, women are now more likely to use alcohol and participate in binge drinking.

Lead study author and Permanente Medical Group cardiologist Dr. Jamal Rana expressed surprise at the findings, saying, "We consistently found a higher risk for women, even without binge drinking." We usually see higher heart disease risk in older women, so I wasn't expecting these findings among younger women. This was really unexpected"

The study analysed the relationship between alcohol consumption from routine assessments conducted between 2014 and 2015 and subsequent coronary heart disease diagnoses over the following four years.

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The findings showed a relationship between elevated alcohol intake and a rise in the prevalence of coronary heart disease. Women who reported heavy alcohol consumption had a heart disease risk that was 45 per cent greater than that of those who reported low consumption and 29 per cent higher than that of those who reported moderate consumption.

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The difference was greatest for those classified as binge drinkers, as these women had a 68 per cent higher risk of heart disease than those with moderate alcohol consumption. In a similar vein, those who drank alcohol more frequently overall had a 33 per cent higher risk of heart disease than men who drank less frequently.

"Women often believe they are shielded from heart disease until they reach older age, but this study demonstrates that even when they are young or middle-aged, heavy alcohol consumption or binge drinking can elevate the risk of coronary heart disease," Dr. Rana said, emphasising the significance of increasing awareness about the health risks associated with alcohol consumption.

(With inputs from agencies)