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A new study from researchers at Mass General Brigham, published in Neurology, finds that heavy alcohol consumption may make brain hemorrhages more severe and occur much earlier in life. The investigation, based on data from Massachusetts General Hospital, also shows that frequent alcohol drinking damages small blood vessels in the brain over time, increasing the risk of fatal or disabling stroke.
“Hemorrhages in the brain are one of the most deadly and disabling conditions known to man,” Dr. Adip Gurol, senior author of the study and a physician investigator in the Department of Neurology at Mass General Brigham, told The Harvard Gazette. “They come on suddenly, cause severe damage and often leave patients with life-altering disabilities.”
According to Gurol, only 20 percent of patients who suffer intracerebral hemorrhage — commonly called a brain bleed — are able to take care of themselves after a year. Almost half the people do not survive the incident.
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Side effects of heavy drinking: More bleeding, younger patients, more risk.
The study looked at more than 1,600 patients treated for non-traumatic brain hemorrhage between 2003 and 2019. About seven percent of them reported drinking three or more alcoholic beverages per day. Compared with non-drinkers, heavy drinkers experienced 70 percent more bleeding and were on average 11 years younger at the time of the event – 64 versus 75.
CT and MRI scans showed that these patients were also more likely to have bleeding deep in the brain or spread to fluid-filled spaces around the brain. The researchers saw evidence of long-term damage to small blood vessels – the kind of deterioration often seen in dementia, balance problems and memory decline. Even in moderate drinkers, those who drink only two drinks a day, signs of early bleeding in the brain have already appeared.
“It appears that heavy alcohol consumption increases blood pressure and damages small vessels in the brain,” Gurol told The Harvard Gazette.
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biological effects of alcohol on the brain
The study found that heavy drinkers arrived at the hospital with low platelet counts and high blood pressure, a combination that makes the brain particularly vulnerable. With low platelets, the body struggles to stop bleeding, and high pressure increases the risk of vessels bursting. Together, those factors increase both the likelihood and severity of brain hemorrhage.
Gurol emphasized that even small reductions in alcohol consumption can make a difference. “We now know that drinking heavy amounts of alcohol causes massive bleeding in the brain,” he said. “Reducing or eliminating alcohol intake is an important step in reducing that risk. Even for people at relatively low risk, limiting alcohol to no more than three drinks per week can help protect brain and heart health.”
The researchers also acknowledged limitations: self-reported alcohol use, a small number of heavy drinkers, and the fact that the study was based at a single hospital with mostly white participants. He said future research should include more diverse populations and look at long-term drinking habits.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
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