Alcohol Consumption and Coronary Calcification in a General Population

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Abstract
A U- or J-shaped association exists between alcohol consumption and coronary morbidity and mortality, and light to moderate drinkers face a lower risk than nondrinkers or heavy drinkers.1-3 The underlying mechanism of the reduced risk associated with moderate levels of alcohol is not well understood. One potential mechanism is the effect of alcohol on atherogenesis.3,4 The association between alcohol and coronary atherosclerosis has been investigated by assessing the severity of angiographically determined coronary artery disease.5,6 However, studies involving invasive coronary angiography can only be conducted in symptomatic subjects suspected of having coronary artery disease. Whether alcohol consumption is associated with coronary atherosclerosis in asymptomatic subjects is unknown.