Alcohol consumption may not affect the diameter of the coronary arteries in men with chest pain.

OBJECTIVE

The effect of alcohol consumption on the risk of coronary heart disease is controversial. Several studies have assessed the effects of alcohol on the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, but few studies have evaluated the chronic effects of alcohol consumption on the coronary artery diameter. We investigated whether alcohol consumption affects the coronary artery diameter.

METHODS

This prospective study enrolled men who were undergoing coronary angiography at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from November 2016 to December 2017. The participants were categorized into three groups based on their drinking behavior: heavy drinking (>175 g/week in the last 2 years, n = 70), moderate drinking (>42 to ≤175 g/week in the last 2 years, n = 53), and nondrinking (lifetime alcohol consumption of <98 g, n = 79). The diameters of the left and right coronary arteries were compared among the three groups.

RESULTS

No significant differences in the diameters of the left and right coronary arteries were observed among the three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Alcohol consumption may not affect the diameter of the coronary arteries.