High BP risk independent of alcohol intake

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Although there is a link between alcohol intake and increased blood pressure (hypertension), the absence or the amount of alcohol that is consumed does not appear to be significantly associated with subsequent hypertension-related events, according to researchers in California.

Dr. Arthur L. Klatsky of the Kaiser Foundation Research Institute, Oakland and colleagues studied data from more than 127,000 subjects who had had health examinations between 1978 and 1988. They were stratified into five levels of alcohol consumption, from none to three or more drinks per day.

Using a blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg as a reference point, the researchers examined blood pressure categories ranging up to higher than 140/90 mm Hg.

Although the risks of reaching subsequent cardiovascular endpoints, including death, hospitalization and outpatient diagnosis of hypertension were greater as blood pressure increased, this was not significantly related to levels of alcohol use.

Thus the researchers conclude, "The risks of hypertension are similar regardless of the amount of alcohol consumption."

They add that hypertension at any level is far from benign and "alcohol-related hypertension belongs on the list of reasons to avoid heavy drinking."

SOURCE: American Journal of Cardiology, October 15, 2006.