The role of alcohol in the epidemiology of hypertension--is alcohol associated hypertension a common preventable disease?
It has become evident from a series of epidemiologic studies that an association exists between regular use of large amounts of alcoholic beverages and hypertension. In most studies, regular intake of smaller amounts of alcohol is not associated with hypertension but a possible threshold cannot be precisely defined at present. The relationship between alcohol and blood pressure is not attributable to demographic characteristics, obesity, reported salt use, smoking, or coffee use nor can it be explained by underreporting of alcohol consumption. If the relationship is causal then the pathogenesis is not yet firmly established. Multiple mechanisms, including direct effects of alcohol or of withdrawal from alcohol, are possible explanations. Alcohol shows a positive association with some sequelae of hypertension, but not to others. The most important exception is CHD, which is negatively associated with alcohol intake. Health professionals should not ignore the role of alcohol intake as a possible factor raising blood pressure in a certain proportion of hypertensive persons.
D044383:Black People; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; D044465:White People
D000431:Ethanol