Alcohol Consumption Patterns across Europe and Adherence to the European Guidelines in Coronary Patients: Findings from the ESC-EORP EUROASPIRE V Survey
Research article
Abstract
Background and aims
Alcohol consumption is an important risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. The highest levels of alcohol consumption are observed in Europe, where alcohol as contributing cause of coronary heart disease (CHD) is also most significant. The researchers aimed to describe alcohol consumption patterns across European regions and adherence to the current guidelines in patients with a recent CHD event.
Methods
The ESC-EORP survey (EUROASPIRE V) has been conducted in 2016-2017 at 131 centers in 27 European countries in 7,350 patients with a recent CHD. Median alcohol consumption, as well as the proportion of abstainers and heavy alcohol users (i.e. >70 g/week for women and >140 for men, as recommended by the European guidelines on cardiovascular prevention), were calculated for each region. To assess adherence to guidelines, proportions of participants who were advised to reduce heavy alcohol consumption and participants who were incorrectly not advised were calculated per region.
Results
Mean age was 64 years, 75% were male.
Abstention rates were 53% in males and 77% in females, whereas heavy alcohol use was reported by 9% and 5% of them, respectively.
Overall, 57% of the participants were advised to reduce alcohol consumption.
In the total population, 3% were incorrectly not advised, however, this percentage differed per region (range: 1%-9%). In regions where alcohol consumption was highest, participants were less often advised to reduce their consumption.
Conclusion
In this EUROASPIRE V survey, the majority of CHD patients adhere to the current alcohol use guidelines, but substantial heterogeneity exists between European regions.