Cardiovascular disorders in elderly patients with alcohol dependence

Alcohol consumption is one of the four most common preventable and modifiable causes of major noncommunicable diseases, with complex dose-dependent effects on the cardiovascular system. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Alcohol Collaborators’ Study has found that alcohol is the seventh leading risk factor for both deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), accounting for 2.2% [95% UI 1.5–3.0] of age-standardized mortality rate in women and 6.8% (5.8–8.0) of age-standardized mortality rate in men. There are difficulties in interpreting the data regarding the effects of alcohol consumption on health. Observational and prospective studies consistently show a lower risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in people with low alcohol consumption compared with nondrinkers (J-curve).