Hypertension

HTN: Alcohol (2015)

• Intervention
  How does alcohol intake affect blood pressure in heavy drinkers with hypertension?

  • Conclusion
    There were no studies directly examining the effect of alcohol intake on blood pressure in heavy drinkers with hypertension (HTN). However, three studies in chronic heavy drinkers with HTN found that abstinence from alcohol resulted in a decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 10 to 28mmHg and a decrease in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 7-18mmHg.
     
     
  • Grade: I
    • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
    • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
    • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
    • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
    • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
    • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
  • Evidence Summary: How does alcohol intake affect blood pressure in heavy drinkers with hypertension?
    • Detail
    • Quality Rating Summary
      For a summary of the Quality Rating results, click here.
    • Worksheets
      • Baros AM, Wright TM, Latham PK, Miller PM, Anton RF. Alcohol consumption, %CDT, GGT and blood pressure change during alcohol treatment. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 2008; 43 (2): 192-197.
      • Soardo G, Donnini D, Varutti R, Milocco C, Basan L, Esposito W, Casaccio D, Isola M, Soldano F, Sechi LA. Effects of alcohol withdrawal on blood pressure in hypertensive heavy drinkers. J Hypertens. 2006; 24: 1,493-1,498. 
      • Stewart SH, Latham PK, Miller PM, Randall P, Anton RF. Blood pressure reduction during treatment for alcohol dependence: results from the COMBINE study. Addiction, 2008; 103 (10): 1,622-1,628.
  • Search Plan and Results: HTN: Alcohol 2014
     
  How does alcohol intake affect blood pressure in moderate drinkers with hypertension?

  • Conclusion
    In moderate drinkers with hypertension (HTN), the effect of alcohol on blood pressure (BP) is unclear. Two studies measuring the effect of a relatively high dose of alcohol (one gram or one ml per kg body weight) on BP yielded contradictory results. Confounders such as ethnic origin, use of sodium restriction and differences in measurement times do not allow for direct comparison of the two studies. More research is needed to discern the shorter- and longer-term effect of alcohol intake alone, in moderate drinkers with HTN.
  • Grade: III
    • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
    • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
    • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
    • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
    • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
    • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
  • Evidence Summary: How does alcohol intake affect blood pressure in moderate drinkers with hypertension?
    • Detail
    • Quality Rating Summary
      For a summary of the Quality Rating results, click here.
    • Worksheets
      • Hering D, Kucharska W, Kara T, Somers VK, Narkiewicz K. Potentiated sympathetic and hemodynamic responses to alcohol in hypertensive vs. normotensive individuals. J Hypertens. 2011; 29 (3): 537-541.
  • Search Plan and Results: HTN: Alcohol 2014