Link between alcohol and blood pressure greater than previously thought

	Tweet

Previous observational studies have reported that heavy alcohol intake is a risk factor for hypertension but such studies may be confounded by factors such as diet, smoking, exercise levels and socio-economic position. Clinical trials exploring the link are difficult to implement and have limited follow-up time.

The Bristol study, led by Dr Sarah Lewis of the University’s Department of Social Medicine, took a different approach focused on people who have a mutation on a gene which affects their body’s ability to eliminate alcohol.

Alcohol is initially metabolised to an intermediate compound, acetaldehyde, which is further metabolised and then eliminated from the body. The major enzyme responsible for this elimination is alcohol dehydrohenase 2 (ALDH2).

In some people, a genetic mutation leads to an inability to metabolize acetaldehyde and causes an accumulation of acetaldehyde after alcohol intake. This mutation is common in some Asian populations and results in facial flushing after consumption of alcohol coupled with intense nausea, drowsiness, headache and other unpleasant symptoms. People with this mutation therefore drink much less than those without it

The researchers looked at the ALDH2 genotype, comparing the blood pressure of those who have this mutation – the *2 *2 genotype – with those who do not – the *1 *1 genotype.

The study found that individuals with the *1 *1 genotype, who had an alcohol intake of around 3 units per day, had strikingly higher blood pressure than those with the *2 *2 genotype, who tend to drink only very small amounts, or no alcohol.

Dr Lewis said: “This study shows that alcohol intake may increase blood pressure to a much greater extent, even among moderate drinkers, than previously thought. Large-scale replication studies are required to confirm this finding and to improve the precision of our estimates.”

Contact: Hannah Johnson

44-117-928-8896
University of Bristol

RELATED STORIES:
Drinking black tea may cut blood pressure   Middle-aged men with upper-normal blood pressure at risk for AF   Pollution tied to disease risk in L.A. black women   Birth Defects May be Linked to High Blood Pressure, Not Use of ACE Inhibitors   Poor sleep quality increases risk of high blood pressure   Pilot study suggests new approach to treat preeclampsia   Living with a smoker may raise blood pressure in boys   Vitamin D May Help Explain Racial Differences in Blood Pressure   Research shows blood protein levels may predict risk of a cardiovascular event: Study   Redefining normal blood pressure   New Home Blood Pressure Check Created for Diabetics   Neighborhood Barbers Can Influence Black Men to Seek Blood-Pressure Treatment

Comments

[ + Post Your Own ]

Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Armenian Medical Network's stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

There are no comments for this entry yet. [ + Comment here + ]