Patterns of alcohol consumption, with the exception of the average amount of alcohol consumed a week by drinkers, varied considerably between Belfast and the French centres. In both countries, the same behaviours were associated with a similar risk of ischaemic heart disease. Binge and irregular heavy drinking doubled the risk of developing myocardial infarction in comparison to regular and moderate drinking. Consuming a high quantity of alcohol on each drinking occasion, which characterises binge drinking, was particularly prevalent in Belfast and could contribute to the higher risk of ischaemic heart disease observed there. From our data alone, however, it is difficult to conclude whether the pattern of alcohol intake has a major role in the incidence of ischaemic heart disease independent of other behaviours, such as diet.
