Consumption of alcohol and blood pressure: Results of the ELSA-Brasil study

Abstract

BackgroundPrevention and reduction of excessive use of alcohol represents damages to society in general. In turn, arterial hypertension is the main attributable risk factor premature life lost years and disability.ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between alcohol consumption and high blood pressure in participants of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil).MethodologyA baseline data of total of 7,655 participants volunteers between 35 and 74 years of age, of both genders, in six educational and research institutions of three different regions of the country were interviewed between 2008–2010. Socioeconomic, haemodynamic, anthropometric and health data were collected in the research centers of ELSA-Brasil. The presence of high blood pressure was identified when the systolic blood pressure was ≥140 mm Hg and/or the diastolic was ≥90 mm Hg. Alcohol consumption was estimated and categorized regarding consumption and pattern of ingestion. The Student’s t-test, chi-squared and logistic regression tests were used for analysis, including potential co-variables of the model, and a 5% significance level was adopted.ResultsA dose-response relation was observed for the consumption of alcohol (g/week) in systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Alcohol consumption was associated with high blood pressure in men who reported moderate (OR = 1.69; 95%CI 1.35–2.11) and excessive (OR = 2.70; 95%CI 2.04–3.59) consumption. Women have nearly three times more chance of presenting elevated blood pressure when presenting excessive consumption (OR = 2.86, 95%CI 1.77–4.63), and binge drinkers who drink more than 2 to 3 times a month have approximately 70% more chance of presenting with elevated blood pressure, after adjusting for consumption of drinks with meals.ConclusionThe consumption of alcohol beverages increases the odds of elevated blood pressure, especially among excessive drinkers. Therefore alcohol consumption needs a more robust regulation in view of its impact on population health.

Dietary Influence on Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure in the TwinsUK Cohort

“…Literature repeatedly reports a J-shaped association between alcohol intake and CVD outcomes [ 45 ], but disaggregation suggests a linear-association with SBP [ 45 ]. This linear dose-response relationship was reported to exert the strongest effect in females [ 37 ]. This increased susceptibility of alcohol upon blood pressure in females may have been an observation within our female dominant cohort.…”

Prevalence and factors associated with arterial hypertension in a Brazilian rural working population

“…However, similar to genetic determinants, many other factors related to lifestyle influence BP elevation throughout life and, consequently, the occurrence of hypertension at some point in time. Variables related to dietary habits (high sodium and low potassium consumption) ( 22 ), excessive alcohol consumption ( 23 ), and low stress control ( 24 ) can also influence the development of hypertension. Studies conducted in Brazil, however, show that the prevalence of hypertension is higher among people with low socioeconomic status and educational backgrounds ( 25 ).…”

Influence of rs670 variant of APOA1 gene on serum HDL response to an enriched-polyunsaturated vs. an enriched-monounsaturated fat hypocaloric diet

“…El consumo de alcohol ha sido ampliamente relacionado con el proceso salud-enfermedad y se han encontrado asociaciones con enfermedades cardiovasculares (21), hipertensión (22), diabetes (23), síndrome metabólico (34) y dislipidemias (9). La asociación más relatada dentro de la literatura se da entre el consumo de alcohol y la enfermedad cardiovascular.…”