Overview
- An analysis of 1,600 Massachusetts General Hospital patients published in Neurology found that 7% reported regular heavy use of three or more drinks per day.
- Heavy drinkers experienced intracerebral hemorrhage at an average age of 64 versus 75 for non-heavy drinkers, an 11-year difference.
- Hematomas were about 70% larger in heavy drinkers, who also had higher odds of deep brain bleeds and intraventricular extension.
- Heavy drinkers showed more severe markers of cerebral small vessel disease, plus lower platelet counts and slightly higher blood pressure on admission.
- Researchers note limits including self-reported alcohol intake, a small heavy-drinking subgroup, a single-center, mostly white cohort, and a cross-sectional design; they recommend reducing heavy alcohol use, with some guidance suggesting no more than three drinks per week.