title: Factors associated with components of arterial pressure among older individuals (the multinational MEDIS study): the role of the Mediterranean diet and alcohol consumption.
abstract: The aim of this work was to evaluate factors associated with arterial blood pressure in a sample of older Mediterranean people without known cardiovascular disease. During 2005 to 2011, 2813 older (aged 65-100 years) individuals from 22 Mediterranean islands and the rural Mani region (Peloponnesus) voluntarily enrolled. Standard procedures were used to determine arterial BP and pulse pressure and for the evaluation of dietary habits (including tea and alcoholic beverages consumption), lifestyle, and anthropometric and clinical characteristics of the participants. Participants who reported low alcohol consumption (ie, 0-1 glasses per day) were less likely to have hypertension (odds ratio, 0.34; 95% confidence interval, 0.14-0.84) as compared with those who reported high alcohol consumption (ie, 5+ glasses per day). Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was inversely associated with mean arterial pressure (β coefficient, -0.18; 95% confidence interval, -0.33 to -0.16). Alcohol drinking remains an important modifiable risk factor for hypertension. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with decreased arterial peripheral resistance.
authors: Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece.
authors: Stefanos
authors: S
authors: Tyrovolas
authors: Josep Maria
authors: JM
authors: Haro
authors: Evangelos
authors: E
authors: Polychronopoulos
authors: Anargiros
authors: A
authors: Mariolis
authors: Suzanne
authors: S
authors: Piscopo
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Valacchi
authors: Kornilia
authors: K
authors: Makri
authors: Akis
authors: A
authors: Zeimbekis
authors: Dimitra
authors: D
authors: Tyrovola
authors: Vassiliki
authors: V
authors: Bountziouka
authors: Efthimios
authors: E
authors: Gotsis
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Metallinos
authors: Yannis
authors: Y
authors: Katsoulis
authors: Josep-Antoni
authors: JA
authors: Tur
authors: Antonia
authors: A
authors: Matalas
authors: Christos
authors: C
authors: Lionis
authors: Demosthenes
authors: D
authors: Panagiotakos
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D062186:Arterial Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008019:Life Style; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008521:Mediterranean Islands / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000502:physiology