Aguilera MT, Estruch R, Coca A, De la Sierra A, Rubin E,
Urbano-Marquez A
Chronic alcohol intake rises blood pressure in normotensive and
essential hypertensive patients: assessment by 24-h ABPM
12th Annual ASH Meeting
Am J Hypertens
(Apr) 10:196A 1997
36 normotensive and 12 hypertensive chronic heavy alcohol users were studied
with 24-hour
ABPM as inpatients while drinking and after one month's abstinence. Blood
pressure and
heart rate fell in both groups during abstinence, more in hypertensives than
normotensives.
Comment: There is little doubt that chronic heavy alcohol intake
increases blood
pressure. The current report adds little except for the inclusion of ABPM
technology.
The absence of a control group (either never-drinkers or continuing drinkers)
seriously
flaws the design and makes it difficult to know whether the magnitude of the
fall in blood
pressure is due to alcohol withdrawal or other factors (acclimatization to
procedure, time
effect, covariates). In general, I have no argument with the conclusion,
that
hypertensives should reduce heavy alcohol intake. (Alan Weder, M.D.,
University of
Michigan)
To go back use the BACK button on your browser.
Otherwise click on the desired link to this article below:
12th Annual ASH Meeting
H: Special problems :
Smoking, ethanol, substance abuse
H: Exam and lab tests :
Ambulatory monitoring