Hypertension risk independent of alcohol intake

Absence of alcohol intake and the amount consumed does not appear to be significantly associated with hypertension related events. Researchers from the Kaiser Foundation Research Institute, Oakland 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, hospitalisation and outpatient diagnosis of hypertension were greater as blood pressure increased, this was not significantly related to levels of alcohol use. The findings suggest that the risks of hypertension are similar regardless of the amount of alcohol consumption. Hypertension at any level is far from benign and alcohol-related hypertension belongs on the list of reasons to avoid heavy drinking.