Abstract

CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY ON EFFECT OF ALCOHOL ON BLOOD PRESSURE

Dr. Sreethu Suresh*, Dr. Salma Salim, Dr. Stephy D. Cleetus, Dr. P. Sameer, Dr. Ritty Sara Cherian and Dr. B. A. Vishwanath

Abstract

Background: Alcohol abuse is a frequent contributor to elevated blood pressure and may be the most common cause of secondary hypertension. In most cases, the blood pressure elevations are reversible and return to normal upon discontinuation of alcohol use. In this questionnaire based cross-sectional study we aimed to identify the association between alcohol consumption and blood pressure changes. Objective: The main aim of this study is;  To determine the effect of alcohol on blood pressure  To create awareness among people about complications of regular alcohol consumption  To determine the highest range of blood pressure in alcoholic population Methods and Methodology: The study was conducted in rural villages of Karnataka. Our study comprises 300 populations, out of which 250 were alcoholic and 50 were nonalcoholic. Among 250 alcoholic populations, 223 were males and 27 were females. The blood pressure of 250 alcoholic population were measured by sphygmomanometer and a special epidemiological questionnaire was completed by each participant. Result: The prevalence of hypertension was high in people drinking every day. For every day drinkers the blood pressure was independent of the amount they consume. Blood pressure was high in chronic drinkers. Conclusion: Our study concluded that there is a positive association between alcohol consumption and hypertension. The highest range of blood pressure among alcoholic population was found to be >180/>110mmHg.

Keywords: Alcohol, hypertension, blood pressure, alcoholic population, chronic drinkers.