Assessment of cardiac risk in chronic asymptomatic alcoholics using blood pressure and electrocardiogram, and the relation with duration of drinking.

Background The Global Status Report 2017 reveals that 11% of Indians indulge in binge drinking. Chronic alcohol intake may lead to cardiac problems and hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiovascular risk among asymptomatic chronic alcoholics. Methods A total of 80 asymptomatic chronic alcoholics of South Indian origin, from the psychiatry ward of Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, India were diagnosed with alcohol dependence syndrome(ADS). Group I includes alcoholics for 10 years or less and group II includes alcoholics for more than 10 years. Alcohol consumption was measured using the DSM IV criteria. Blood pressure (BP) and electrocardiographic (ECG) data were measured on admission and 2 weeks later. The paired t-test compared a significant outcome of the two sets of data at p ≤ 0.05 level of significance. Results Forty percent of the patients were found to be hypertensive and only 2.5% were found to be pre-hypertensive on admission. The mean age of the hypertensives was 46.9 and nonhypertensives was 42.1 The difference in the BP evaluated after 2 weeks was staggering - systolic BP had a mean fall of 6.1 mm Hg (p < 0.001) and diastolic BP 2.25 mm Hg (p = 0.001). The electrocardiogram results showed significant changes like left ventricular hypertrophy, abnormal T waves, and QT prolongation. Conclusions Chronic alcoholism is a major criterion for heart abnormalities such as elevated BP and left ventricular enlargement, and our study supports this as we see that alcohol consumption for more than 10 years shows significant deterioration. Further clinical observations and long-term prospective studies are needed to confirm these observations.