HIGH DIASTOLIC BLOOD-PRESSURE - COMMON AMONG WOMEN WHO ARE HEAVY DRINKERS

The present study evaluates the relationship of different alcohol cons umption levels to blood pressure among women, Blood pressure values we re compared between four groups of women consuming different amounts o f alcohol. Three groups were formed from the middle-aged female popula tion participating in a health survey (n = 219): 15 consecutive alcoho l abstainers, 136 consecutive moderate drinkers, and 68 consecutive he avy drinkers. Also, 78 consecutive female alcoholics reporting for tre atment were included, forming the fourth group, The prevalence of syst olic blood pressure greater than or equal to 160 mm Hg did not increas e in relation to alcohol consumption. In contrast, the percentage of w omen showing diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 90 mm H g clearly increased (p = 0.004) from abstainers (7%) to moderate drink ers (18%), to heavy drinkers (32%), and to alcoholics (37%). The highe st blood pressure values were found among heavy drinkers. Compared wit h abstainers, the mean difference in systolic blood pressure was -12 m m Hg, with a 95% confidence interval from -2 to -23 mm Hg, For diastol ic blood pressure, the difference was -6 mm Hg with a 95% confidence i nterval from 1 to -13 mm Hg, Among alcoholics, the blood pressure valu es had returned essentially to normal after 4 days of abstinence. It i s concluded that alcohol consumption increases both systolic and diast olic blood pressure values among women. However, only diastolic blood pressure values increase enough to be clinically significant, Moderate ly elevated diastolic blood pressure, combined with normal systolic bl ood pressure, might thus be a possible sign of alcohol abuse among wom en, Abstinence should be emphasized as an inexpensive and rapidly effe ctive treatment for mild hypertension among female alcohol abusers.