Body weight-dependent relationships between alcohol consumption and pulse pressure in middle-aged Japanese women

High pulse pressure is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and excessive alcohol drinking increases the risk of hypertension. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the relationship between alcohol intake and pulse pressure in women and to determine whether body weight influences their relationship. The subjects were 18,791 Japanese middle-aged women, and they were divided into tertile groups for body weight or three different body mass index (BMI, kg/m²) groups (low BMI <22; middle BMI ≥22 and <25; high BMI ≥25). The subjects in each group were further divided into four groups of nondrinkers, occasional drinkers, regular light drinkers, and regular heavy drinkers by habitual alcohol consumption. Pulse pressure levels were compared between nondrinkers and drinkers in each group for body weight or BMI. Pulse pressure was significantly higher in regular heavy drinkers than in nondrinkers in the first tertile group for body weight and in the low BMI group but not in the second and third tertile groups for body weight and in the middle and high BMI groups. In all tertile groups and all BMI groups, pulse pressure was not significantly different in occasional drinkers and regular light drinkers than in nondrinkers. In women with lower body weight, heavy drinking was positively associated with pulse pressure, while this association was not found in women with middle or higher body weight. Thus, body weight potently confounds the relationship between alcohol consumption and pulse pressure.