NCD Watch

Alcohol : Bad for Blood Pressure

30 Jun 2020 (Tue)

Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by circulating blood upon the walls of blood vessels. While many influences contribute to an increase in blood pressure, epidemiological studies have shown that alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of hypertension. A meta-analysis of 18 cohort studies, published in 2018, on the relationship between different levels of alcohol consumption and risk of incident hypertension reported that men consuming 1–2 drinks (12 grams of pure ethanol per drink), 3–4 drinks and 5 or more drinks per day had 19%, 51% and 74% increased risk of hypertension compared with male non-drinkers respectively. In women, alcohol consumption beyond 2 drinks per day was associated with 42% increased risk of incident hypertension.

On the contrary, investigations observed a dose-response relationship between alcohol reduction and blood pressure reduction. Among people who drank 3 drinks per day, a reduction in alcohol consumption to near abstinence was associated with mean reductions in systolic blood pressure of 1.18 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure of 1.09 mmHg. For people who drank more than 6 drinks per day, cutting alcohol consumption by about 50% was associated with a mean of 5.50 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure and 3.97 mmHg reduction in diastolic blood pressure.

For prevention and control of hypertension, it is the best that people cease alcohol consumption. Drinkers are urged to take a look at their own drinking habits, recognise the harms associated with alcohol consumption and appraise the benefits of cutting down or even stopping drinking alcohol. Members of the public can answer the locally validated Alcohol and Health Questionnaire (AUDIT) [ https://www.change4health.gov.hk/en/drinktest/ ]. Such simple, self-administered electronic questionnaire can assess individual’s alcohol use and potential health effects within minutes.

As it is evident that alcohol produces more harm than any potential benefits, non-drinkers are advised not to start drinking. Pregnant women, children and youth and people who are ill or on medicine, as well as those operating machinery and driving, should not drink.

For more information about “Alcohol and Health”, please visit the relevant section of the Change for Health Website at https://www.change4health.gov.hk/en/alcohol_aware/index.html .