Alcohol Consumption and Cardiovascular Remodeling in a Nigerian Population: Insights from Echocardiography, Electrocardiography, Carotid Imaging and Lipid Profile

Introduction: Alcohol consumption exerts a profound influence on cardiovascular health through intricate mechanisms. Chronic heavy drinking is strongly associated with conditions such as hypertension, arrhythmias, alcoholic cardiomyopathy, and atherosclerosis. While acute alcohol intake can lead to temporary effects like tachycardia, long-term excessive consumption causes irreversible cardiovascular damage. This study investigates alcohol's impact on cardiovascular health by examining parameters such as echocardiographic findings, lipid profiles, electrocardiograms (ECG), and carotid artery assessments, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of its effects on the cardiovascular system. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed cardiovascular data, including echocardiographic metrics, lipid profiles, electrocardiographic markers and Carotid cIMT and Diameter. Participants were categorized by hypertension status (hypertensive, normotensive, prehypertensive), and smoking habits (smokers vs. non-smokers). Mean values with standard errors were compared across groups to explore differences, with particular attention to the interplay of these factors on cardiovascular health. Results: A total of 53 participants were included in the study. Hypertension and smoking status were associated with measurable cardiovascular alterations, while advancing age demonstrated significant relationships with several cardiovascular parameters, including blood pressure levels and structural cardiac indices. Carotid imaging revealed variations in vascular parameters consistent with early vascular remodeling. Echocardiographic and electrocardiographic findings provided additional evidence of subclinical cardiovascular changes within the cohort. Conclusion: This study provides preliminary evidence of structural and vascular cardiovascular changes among alcohol-consuming individuals in a Nigerian community. The findings highlight the importance of comprehensive cardiovascular assessment in populations with prevalent alcohol use and underscore the need for larger studies to further clarify the relationship between alcohol consumption and cardiovascular remodeling in African populations.