Excessive drinking raise high blood pressure risk in adults with Type 2 diabetes: Study
Having eight or more alcoholic beverages in a week’s time can
increase the risk of high blood pressure (also called hypertension)
among adults with Type 2 diabetes, according to recent research.
The new study results were published today in the Journal of the
American Heart Association.
“This is the first large study to specifically investigate the association
of alcohol intake and hypertension among adults with Type 2
diabetes,” said senior
study author.
“Previous studies have suggested that heavy alcohol consumption
was associated with high blood pressure, however, the association
of moderate alcohol consumption with high blood pressure was
unclear,” Singleton added.
Researchers examined the relationship between alcohol
consumption and blood pressure in more than 10,000 adults with
Type 2 diabetes (average age 63, 61 per cent male). All participants
had Type 2 diabetes for an average of 10 years prior to enrolling in
the study. In addition to 10 years with Type 2 diabetes, they were at
increased risk for cardiovascular events because they had pre-
existing ardiovascular disease.
In this study, alcohol consumption was categorized as none; light
(1-7 drinks per week); moderate (8-14 drinks per week); and heavy
(15 or more drinks per week). One alcoholic beverage was
equivalent to a 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5
ounces of hard liquor. The number of drinks per week was self-
reported by each participant via a questionnaire when they enrolled
in the study.
Blood pressure was categorized according to the 2017 American
College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guideline for the
Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood
Pressure in Adults as normal (below 120/80 mm Hg); elevated
(120-129/<80 mm Hg); Stage 1 high blood pressure
(130-139/80-89 mm Hg); or Stage 2 high blood pressure (140 mm
Hg/90 mm Hg or higher).
Most participants were already taking one or more blood pressure
medications; therefore, the analysis of the blood pressure readings
was adjusted to account for the effects of the medications and to
estimate the underlying degree of high blood pressure. From the
study, the researchers found that:
– light drinking was not associated with elevated blood pressure or
either stage of high blood pressure;
– moderate drinking was associated with increased odds of elevated
blood pressure by 79 per cent; Stage 1 high blood pressure by 66 per
cent; and Stage 2 high blood pressure by 62 per cent;
– heavy drinking was associated with increased odds of elevated
blood pressure by 91 per cent; Stage 1 high blood pressure by 149
per cent (a 2.49-fold increase); and Stage 2 high blood pressure by
204 per cent (a 3.04-fold increase)
– the more alcohol consumed, the higher the risk and severity of high blood
pressure.
“Though light to moderate alcohol consumption may have positive
effects on cardiovascular health in the general adult population,
both moderate and heavy alcohol consumption appear to be
independently associated with higher odds of high blood pressure
among those with Type 2 diabetes,” Singleton said.
“Lifestyle modification, including tempering alcohol consumption,
may be considered in patients with Type 2 diabetes, particularly if
they are having trouble controlling their blood pressure. People with
Type 2 diabetes are at higher cardiovascular risk, and our findings
indicate that alcohol consumption is associated with hypertension,
so limited drinking is recommended,” Singleton added.
The study has several limitations including the fact that alcohol
consumption was based on a one-time questionnaire when
participants enrolled in the study, therefore the results do not
account for any changes in alcohol consumption over time. In
addition, the study was not designed to assess if light alcohol
consumption provided any benefits.
According to the American Heart Association, excessive drinking can
increase the risk of high blood pressure, and people with Type 2
diabetes are already at increased risk for high blood pressure. For
the general population, the association recommends alcoholic
beverages be consumed in moderation, if at all, and drinkers should
understand the potential effects on their health.
labels- alcoholic drinks, increases, blood pressure, adults, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular health,