# Low to moderate alcohol consumption across two decades and subclinical atherosclerosis at age 60: findings from the Northern Sweden Västerbotten Intervention Programme—visualisation of atherosclerosis (VIPVIZA) study

## TL;DR

A study in Northern Sweden found no link between low to moderate alcohol consumption during midlife and subclinical atherosclerosis at age 60.

## Contribution

The study provides new evidence from a longitudinal cohort in a northern Scandinavian population, showing no association between alcohol consumption and early atherosclerosis markers.

## Key findings

- No association was found between midlife alcohol consumption and carotid plaque presence at age 60.
- No sex-specific differences were observed in the association between alcohol intake and subclinical atherosclerosis.
- Results were consistent across different alcohol consumption levels (e.g., >25 to ≤50 g/week).

## Abstract

Alcohol consumption at low to moderate levels has long been debated in relation to cardiovascular risk, with inconsistent findings. Multi-decade cohort data with repeated exposure assessments are rare, especially in a northern Scandinavian population. This study aims to investigate associations between alcohol consumption at age 40, 50, and 60 and markers of subclinical atherosclerosis [carotid plaque and intima-media thickness (IMT)] at age 60 in a healthy below-risk-threshold alcohol-consuming cohort in Northern Sweden.

Participants in the Visualisation of Asymptomatic Atherosclerotic Disease for Optimum Cardiovascular Prevention (VIPVIZA) trial, aged 60 and with alcohol data from the Västerbotten Intervention Programme (VIP) at 40, 50, and 60, with below-risk-threshold alcohol consumption (>0 to ≤100 g/week) (n = 1,014) were included. Alcohol intake data were collected via a food frequency questionnaire in VIP. Carotid plaque and IMT were assessed at age 60 at VIPVIZA baseline.

Mean weekly alcohol consumption for the study period was 26 g (±21.4 g), higher in men (37.5 ± 23.8 g) than in women (19.2 ± 16.3 g) and increasing over time in both sexes. At age 60, 49.6% had carotid plaque, and mean IMT was 0.77 mm (±0.15). No indication of associations was found between midlife alcohol consumption and carotid plaque in the total cohort [odds ratio (OR): 1.00, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.99–1.01], men (OR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.99–1.01), or women (OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.99–1.00) per gram increase of weekly alcohol intake. No associations were observed across consumption groups (>25 to ≤50, >50 to ≤75, >75 to ≤100 vs. >0 to ≤25 g/week).

No association was found between self-reported midlife alcohol consumption and subclinical atherosclerosis at age 60 in the VIPVIZA baseline cohort. Results were consistent across sexes and intake levels, contributing to the evidence base used to guide primary prevention and public health recommendations.

Research graphic examining the link between midlife alcohol consumption and subclinical atherosclerosis at age 60. The study, involving 1,014 participants, uses Food Frequency Questionnaires from ages 40, 50, and 60. A bar chart illustrates weekly alcohol consumption categories with the highest consumption indicating potential cardiovascular risk. A graph shows carotid plaque odds ratios across alcohol consumption levels. The conclusion states that moderate alcohol intake during midlife does not associate with subclinical atherosclerosis at age 60, consistent across sexes and intake levels.