Low to moderate alcohol consumption across two decades and subclinical atherosclerosis at age 60: findings from the Northern Sweden Västerbotten Intervention Programme—visualisation of atherosclerosis (VIPVIZA) study

Background: Alcohol consumption at low to moderate levels has long been debated in relation to cardiovascular risk, with inconsistent findings. Multi-decade cohort data with repeated exposure assessments are rare, especially in a northern Scandinavian population. This study aims to investigate associations between alcohol consumption at age 40, 50, and 60 and markers of subclinical atherosclerosis [carotid plaque and intima-media thickness (IMT)] at age 60 in a healthy below-risk-threshold alcohol-consuming cohort in Northern Sweden. Methods: = 1,014) were included. Alcohol intake data were collected via a food frequency questionnaire in VIP. Carotid plaque and IMT were assessed at age 60 at VIPVIZA baseline. Results: Mean weekly alcohol consumption for the study period was 26 g (±21.4 g), higher in men (37.5 ± 23.8 g) than in women (19.2 ± 16.3 g) and increasing over time in both sexes. At age 60, 49.6% had carotid plaque, and mean IMT was 0.77 mm (±0.15). No indication of associations was found between midlife alcohol consumption and carotid plaque in the total cohort [odds ratio (OR): 1.00, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.99-1.01], men (OR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.99-1.01), or women (OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.99-1.00) per gram increase of weekly alcohol intake. No associations were observed across consumption groups (>25 to ≤50, >50 to ≤75, >75 to ≤100 vs. >0 to ≤25 g/week). Conclusion: No association was found between self-reported midlife alcohol consumption and subclinical atherosclerosis at age 60 in the VIPVIZA baseline cohort. Results were consistent across sexes and intake levels, contributing to the evidence base used to guide primary prevention and public health recommendations.