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Regular alcohol use raises blood pressure in treated hypertensive subjects. A randomised controlled trial
Insights
Reducing alcohol intake significantly lowers blood pressure in men with hypertension. This study shows that limiting alcohol consumption can improve blood pressure control and potentially decrease the need for blood pressure medications.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Clinical Nutrition
- Public Health
Background:
- Essential hypertension is a prevalent condition often managed with medication.
- Alcohol consumption is a known factor influencing blood pressure.
- Moderate to heavy drinkers with hypertension require strategies for better blood pressure management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of reduced alcohol intake on blood pressure in men with treated essential hypertension.
- To determine if lowering alcohol consumption can improve blood pressure control independently of weight changes.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, controlled, crossover trial involving 44 men with treated essential hypertension and moderate to heavy alcohol consumption.
- Participants underwent two 6-week periods: one with usual alcohol intake and one with significantly reduced intake (low-alcohol beer).
- Blood pressure measurements and biochemical markers were used to assess changes in alcohol consumption and its effects.
Main Results:
- Mean systolic blood pressure decreased by 5.0 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 3.0 mm Hg during the low-alcohol period compared to the normal-alcohol period.
- Biochemical measurements confirmed a significant reduction in weekly ethanol intake.
- Regression analysis indicated that reduced alcohol intake lowered blood pressure independently of weight fluctuations.
Conclusions:
- Curtailing alcohol intake is an effective strategy for improving blood pressure control in hypertensive individuals.
- Reducing alcohol consumption may help manage essential hypertension and potentially reduce reliance on antihypertensive drugs.
Abstract:
44 men with treated essential hypertension who were moderate to heavy drinkers took part in a randomised, controlled, crossover trial of the effects of alcohol intake on blood pressure. Usual antihypertensive treatment was maintained throughout 6 weeks of normal drinking and 6 weeks of drinking only a low-alcohol beer. Self-reported changes in alcohol consumption (mean [SEM] from 452 [30] ml ethanol/week during normal drinking to 64 [8] ml/week while drinking the low-alcohol beer) were confirmed by biochemical measurements. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly lower during the last 2 weeks of the low-alcohol period than during the normal-alcohol period, the mean difference in the supine readings being 5.0 (1.4) and 3.0 (0.9) mm Hg, respectively. Regression analysis suggested that reduction in alcohol intake contributed to the fall in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures independently of changes in weight. Thus, curtailing alcohol intake may lead to improved blood-pressure control and may reduce the need for antihypertensive drugs.