Blood pressure and alcohol intake in heart patients.

The association between alcohol consumption and blood pressure has been studied in 2025 male and 282 female patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography. The increase in amount of alcohol consumed correlated with higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure; this effect was especially pronounced in men over 50 years of age. The association was less marked in male patients under 50 years old, in women, and in patients on antihypertensive medication. Readings in the range of definitive hypertension were more prevalent among older patients consuming six or more drinks daily than in abstainers of the same age group.