The prevalence of binge drinking, which doubled the risk of ischaemic heart disease compared with regular drinking, was almost 20 times higher in Belfast than in the French centres. Never drinkers, who were seven times more numerous in Belfast, had a risk of ischaemic heart disease similar to that of binge drinkers. However, our study’s very low statistical power to detect subgroup differences does not permit the conclusion that binge drinking has an equivalent effect on the risk of ischaemic heart disease to non-drinking. In the same way, consumption of wine seems to be associated with lower risk of ischaemic heart disease whatever the country, but the small numbers again do not allow for firm conclusions.
