OBJECTIVES Atherosclerotic disease is the leading cause of mortality in the US. Modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors need to be studied simultaneously for stroke and coronary artery disease (CAD). We examined the association between daily alcohol consumption, race/ethnicity, stroke and CAD. METHODS We used the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a nationally representative cross-sectional survey. We performed Chi-square tests to determine associations between daily alcohol consumption (<1, 1-2, and >2 drinks) and race/ethnicity (Black, Asian, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaskan Native, White, Hispanic, Multiracial, and Other) with stroke and CAD. Identifying daily alcohol consumption and race/ethnicity as independent variables and stroke or CAD as dependent variables, we assessed the relationships in multivariate logistic regression after controlling for modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. Modifiable risk factors included hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, body mass index, exercise, daily fruit/vegetable consumption, smoking status, education, and income. Non-modifiable risk factors included gender and age. RESULTS We analyzed 269,554 cases. Compared to those having >2 drinks/day, individuals who reported <1 drink/day were found to have 1.36 [95%CI=1.14-1.63] greater odds of stroke [p=0.001] and 1.33 [95%CI=1.17-1.51] greater odds of CAD [p<0.0001]. For stroke and CAD, American Indians/Alaskan Natives had 1.65 [95%CIs=1.41-1.94] and 1.41 [95%CI=1.24-1.62] greater odds, respectively, than Whites [p<0.0001 each]. Hispanics had 0.70 [95%CI=0.62-0.79] lower odds of stroke [p<0.0001] while Blacks had 1.18 [95%CI=1.08-1.28] greater odds [p<0.0001] than Whites. Blacks had 0.76 [95%CI=0.70-0.82] and Asians had 0.74 [95%CI=0.61-0.90] lower odds of CAD than Whites [p<0.0001 each]. CONCLUSIONS Although there are similar findings between those having 1-2 and >2 drinks/day, we do not advise drinking above the dietary guidelines; other information does not support this action. We note existing literature supports a beneficial effect of having 1-2 drinks/day compared to <1 on stroke and CAD. Race/ethnicity is strongly associated with stroke and CAD.