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Effect of regular alcohol use on blood pressure control in treated hypertensive subjects: a controlled study
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Reducing alcohol intake significantly lowers blood pressure in men with treated essential hypertension. This study shows that cutting back on alcohol improves blood pressure control and reduces body weight.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Clinical Nutrition
- Hypertension Research
Background:
- Essential hypertension is a common condition requiring ongoing management.
- Moderate-to-heavy alcohol consumption is a potential contributing factor to elevated blood pressure.
- Understanding the impact of alcohol reduction on blood pressure control is crucial for patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of reduced alcohol intake on blood pressure control in males with treated essential hypertension.
- To determine if alcohol reduction independently influences blood pressure and body weight.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled crossover trial involving 44 males with treated essential hypertension.
- Participants maintained usual antihypertensive therapy throughout the study.
- Alcohol consumption was reduced by substituting low alcohol content beer for usual intake.
Main Results:
- Significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were observed during the low alcohol intake period.
- Mean systolic blood pressure decreased by 5.0 mmHg (supine) and 5.9 mmHg (erect).
- Mean diastolic blood pressure decreased by 3.0 mmHg (supine) and 2.9 mmHg (erect).
- Body weight also decreased by 0.94 kg.
- Regression analysis indicated alcohol reduction independently lowered both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, while weight change independently lowered systolic blood pressure.
Conclusions:
- Curtailing moderate to heavy alcohol intake improves blood pressure control in treated essential hypertensive males.
- Alcohol reduction is an effective non-pharmacological strategy for managing hypertension.
- Weight reduction may also contribute to improved systolic blood pressure control.
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.