Alcohol as a Risk Factor and Treatment Target for Hypertension

Abstract

The prevalence of hypertension has risen precipitously in recent decades, reinforcing the need to improve both primary and secondary prevention efforts. The quantity of alcohol consumed may pose either benefits or risks on blood pressure (BP) and hypertension. This review describes how alcohol is currently integrated into hypertension clinical guidelines, the mechanisms through which alcohol may affect BP, and the epidemiologic studies evaluating the association between alcohol, changes in BP, and the risk of developing hypertension. This review considers the effects of total alcohol intake, plus specific types and patterns of alcohol intake. It also examines studies examining alcohol intake among existing hypertensive patients for the risk of mortality and incident cardiovascular disease. Based upon the current evidence on alcohol, BP, and hypertension, men and women currently consuming light-to-moderate amounts of alcohol should maintain their intake in terms of BP levels and hypertension prevention and treatment.