Can stroke patients drink alcohol? The guide will tell you

Author: Wang Lei, deputy chief physician, Beijing Forestry University Hospital

Stroke is a common disease that has a serious impact on the patient's physical condition and quality of life. During the rehabilitation process after a stroke, many patients are concerned about whether they can continue to drink. In order to answer this question, we will combine the latest domestic and foreign references and the "Guidelines for Secondary Prevention of Ischemic Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack in China 2022" to give you a scientific interpretation.

First, let's understand how to calculate the amount of alcohol and the amount of alcohol consumed. The unit of alcohol here is gram, the unit of alcohol consumed is milliliter, and the alcohol concentration is what we often call 45 degrees, 50 degrees, etc. For example, if someone drinks 100 milliliters, which is 2 taels, and the alcohol concentration is 50 degrees of liquor, then the amount of alcohol he drinks is equal to 100ml*50%*0.8=40g, where 0.8 is the density of alcohol. Therefore, according to calculation, 24 grams of alcohol is equivalent to 71ml of 42-degree liquor and 58ml of 52-degree liquor.

Alcohol consumption and stroke risk

Meta-analysis results show that moderate drinking seems to be a protective factor for ischemic stroke. Men who drink less than 3 standard drinking units per day and women who drink less than 1 standard drinking unit per day (1 standard drinking unit = 12 g of alcohol) can significantly reduce the risk of ischemic stroke. However, this relationship is not a simple direct connection, and individual differences and other factors need to be considered. But it is clear that excessive drinking increases the risk of stroke. Compared with those who abstain from alcohol, drinking more than 60 g per day is clearly associated with an increased relative risk of stroke and ischemic stroke.

For patients with ischemic stroke, alcohol consumption should be evaluated on an individual basis. Specifically, the following are some key points:

1. Individual differences: Different people have different responses and metabolic abilities to alcohol. Some people may be more sensitive to alcohol and more prone to negative effects. Therefore, individualized assessment is crucial.

2. Individualized advice: In stroke patients, the specific amount and frequency of drinking should be evaluated according to individual circumstances, and based on the evaluation results, the doctor will give individualized advice. For some patients, it may be necessary to quit drinking completely, especially those who already have alcohol-related problems or have high-risk factors. For other patients, doctors may recommend limiting the amount and frequency of drinking to ensure that it is within a safe range. The "Guidelines for Secondary Prevention of Ischemic Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack in China 2022 Edition" recommends that patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) quit drinking or reduce alcohol intake. For those who have not yet quit drinking, drinking should be moderate, with no more than 24 g of alcohol intake per day for men and half for women.

3. Health status: Patients with existing health problems (such as high blood pressure, heart disease, etc.) should avoid or limit drinking. These diseases themselves are closely related to the risk of stroke, and drinking may increase these risks.

4. Drug intervention: Some drugs may have adverse effects when used with alcohol. When stroke patients are receiving drug treatment, they should consult a doctor to determine whether it can be used with alcohol.

5. Pay attention to other health factors: For stroke patients, drinking is only one aspect of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In addition to controlling alcohol consumption, patients should also pay attention to other important health factors, such as quitting smoking, controlling weight, exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet.

6. Regular follow-up: Regular follow-up is very important for stroke patients who choose to drink moderately. The doctor will check whether the amount of alcohol consumed is in line with the recommendations and pay attention to any adverse reactions or further health problems.

In summary, the relationship between drinking and stroke risk is not a simple cause-and-effect relationship, but requires comprehensive consideration of multiple factors. Therefore, whether stroke patients can drink alcohol should be determined based on individual circumstances and the advice of professional doctors. Whether it is drinking or other lifestyle factors, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is very important for the rehabilitation and prevention of stroke patients.

References

1. Chinese Society of Neurology, Chinese Society of Neurology Cerebrovascular Disease Group. Guidelines for secondary prevention of ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack in China 2022. Chinese Journal of Neurology, 2022, 55(10): 1071-1110.

2. LarssonS.C., et al. (2019). Alcohol consumption and risk of atrial fibrillation: aprospective study and dose-response meta-analysis. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 73(22), 2277-2286.

3. Klatsky,AL, et al. (2015). Alcohol and cardiovascular diseases: where do we stand today? Journal of Internal Medicine, 278(3), 238-250.

4. Mukamal,KJ, et al. (2006). Alcohol consumption and risk of coronary heart disease in old adults: the Cardiovascular Health Study. Journal of the AmericanGeriatrics Society, 54(1), 30-37.