March 1, 1995
View Full PaperAlcohol, Hypertension, Coronary Disease and Stroke
Structured PICO
Does alcohol consumption cause cardiovascular complications such as strokes and heart attacks in hypertensive patients?
P
Population
Hypertensive patients
I
Intervention
Alcohol consumption and relevant counselling
O
Outcome
Cardiovascular complications (strokes and heart attacks) and blood pressure
Alcohol may cause a reversible rise in blood pressure rather than long-term cardiovascular damage, though counselling to reduce intake can usefully lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients.
Abstract
The association between alcohol and hypertension has been recognized for several years. 2. However, it remains a paradox that if alcohol does cause hypertension there is little convincing evidence that alcohol is related to the cardiovascular complications of hypertension such as strokes and heart attacks. The relationship between alcohol and strokes remains inconclusive and there is evidence that moderate alcohol consumption may be protective against heart attacks. 3. It is possible, therefore, that alcohol does not so much cause hypertension, but rather a rapidly reversible rise in blood pressure which does not cause cardiovascular damage. When managing hypertensive patients, however, relevant counselling can bring about a useful fall in blood pressure.