EFFECT OF REGULAR ALCOHOL USE ON BLOOD PRESSURE CONTROL IN TREATED HYPERTENSIVE SUBJECTS: A CONTROLLED STUDY

Abstract

Forty-four males with treated essential hypertension and a moderate-to-heavy alcohol intake participated in a randomized controlled crossover trial of the effects of varying alcohol intake on blood pressure control. Usual antihypertensive therapy was maintained unchanged throughout. Self-reported alcohol consumption fell from 452 ml ethanol/week (s.e.m. = 29) during normal drinking habits to 64 ml/week (s.e.m. = 8) while drinking low alcohol content beer. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly lower during the last 2 weeks of reduced alcohol (supine 5.0 mmHg, s.e.m. = 1.4, and 3.0 mmHg, s.e.m. = 0.9, respectively; erect 5.9 mmHg, s.e.m. = 1.6, and 2.9 mmHg, s.e.m. = 1.0, respectively). Body weight was also lower (0.94 kg, s.e.m. = 0.25) at the conclusion of the low alcohol intake period. Regression analysis suggested that reduction in alcohol intake contributed independently to the fall in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, while weight change contributed independently to the fall in systolic blood pressure alone. It was concluded that curtailing moderate to heavy alcohol intake leads to improved blood pressure control in treated essential hypertensive males.