english.prescrire.org > Spotlight > Archives : 2010 > Arterial hypertension: sometimes caused by alcohol

Spotlight: Archives

Every month, the subjects in Prescrire’s Spotlight.

2010 : 1 | 30 | 60 | 90

Arterial hypertension: sometimes caused by alcohol

Alcohol consumption raises blood pressure. It can also account for resistance to antihypertensive drugs.

Alcohol consumption raises blood pressure, which is a cardiovascular risk factor. French studies have shown that nearly 80% of patients suffering from high blood pressure drank excessive amounts of alcohol and had at least one other cardiovascular risk factor.

In both men and women, there is a linear correlation between alcohol consumption and blood pressure, whatever the type of drink or mode of consumption (regular or not). On the other hand, stopping alcohol consumption reduces blood pressure within a few days.

Binge drinking increases the risk of arterial hypertension and stroke. Several clinical trials have shown that encouraging patients with high blood pressure to reduce their alcohol consumption appears to be as effective in lowering blood pressure as a slimming diet is in reducing obesity, and as important as regular exercise, reduced salt intake and taking fish oil supplements.

Furthermore, in some patients suffering from arterial hypertension treated with antihypertensive drugs, unidentified or neglected alcohol consumption could account for resistance to the treatment, since alcohol hinders their effectiveness.

©Prescrire July 2010

Source: "Hypertension artérielle : et si c'était l’alcool ?" Rev Prescrire 2010 ; 30 (320): 446-447.