Stroke cases are increasing among youth and studies point to increasing alcohol consumption.

Stroke was once considered a health issue primarily affecting the elderly, but stroke is now increasingly seen in younger populations due to lifestyle habits, including heavy drinking.

The 2022 InterStroke study showed that high and moderate alcohol intake was associated with increased chances of stroke.

Stroke occurs when a part of the brain is unable to get oxygen due to a blood clot or rupture of a blood vessel. This results in some brain cells dying, leading to disabilities such as difficulty speaking, walking, thinking or moving hands.

A recent study by The Lancet showed that stroke-related deaths are expected to increase from 6.6 million in 2020 to 9.7 million by 2050. Although it is a highly preventable and treatable condition, stroke may cause approximately 10 million deaths annually by 2050.

How does alcohol affect the brain?

Apart from obesity, type 2 diabetes, stress, lack of sleep and unhealthy diet, alcohol and tobacco consumption is one of the major factors leading to stroke.

Dr. Kapil Kumar Singhal, Director of Neurology at Fortis Hospital, Noida, said that alcohol consumption has long-term neurological effects.

“Alcohol has harmful effects on the brain, affecting memory, cognition, behavior and decision-making,” he said.

Regular consumption can lead to brain atrophy, loss of neurons and damage to synapses, which are vital for brain function.

Dr. Singhal further said that excessive alcohol consumption can trigger seizures and is closely linked to increased risk of stroke.

“Current drinkers have an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke, while heavy drinkers have an even higher risk of severe stroke with worse outcomes,” Dr. Singhal said, pointing to the InterStroke study.

The dangers do not end here.

Regular alcohol consumption is also linked to other conditions such as high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation and liver damage, all of which increase the risk of stroke.

According to Dr. Singhal, excessive drinking, defined as more than 15 drinks per week for women and more than 21 drinks per week for men, can increase the risk of stroke by 50%, especially In Indian population.

Dr. Nishtha Jain, a neurologist from Shalby Hospital, Ahmedabad, explained the mechanism behind stroke caused by alcohol.

He said, “Alcohol disrupts the natural connections between neurons, reducing brain activity and impairing cognitive function. It increases blood pressure and increases blood triglycerides, which by blocking blood supply to the brain. “Can lead to atherosclerosis and ischemic stroke.”

Dr. Jain also warned about the dangers of excessive drinking during short periods of time, such as weekend parties.

“Heavy drinking for even a few days can dehydrate the body, thicken the blood and increase the risk of clot formation, which can lead to stroke,” he said.

In August 2023, the World Health Organization warned that there is no safe amount of alcohol that does not affect health. When someone drinks alcohol, the risk of getting cancer increases significantly.

Doctors agree that reducing alcohol intake, especially avoiding binge drinking, is important for reducing stroke risk in young adults.

“There is no ‘safe’ amount of alcohol for the brain. The damage it causes is both immediate and long-term,” Dr Singhal underlined.