THE EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM ALCOHOL INTAKE ON CLINIC AND AMBULATORY BLOOD-PRESSURE IN NORMOTENSIVE SOCIAL DRINKERS

Office blood pressure (OBP), ambulatory blood pressure (ABP), and vasc ular reactivity were measured in 12 normotensive 'social' drinkers (me an alcohol consumption of 9.7 +/- 3.1 g/day) after 4 days of alcohol c onsumption (1 g/kg/day) and compared with the effects of an isocaloric substitute (sucrose, 1.75 g/kg/day) or no intervention. Alcohol consu mption did not affect OBP or 24-mean ABP but appeared to decrease noct urnal systolic and diastolic blood pressure soon after consumption. Al though vascular reactivity did not differ between the groups, the bloo d pressure rise in response to isometric exercise tended to be lower f ollowing alcohol. Thus, short-term alcohol ingestion by normotensive ' social' drinkers does not increase office or ambulatory blood pressure .