Researchers in Boston studied more than 70,000 women over an eight-year period to investigate the effect of moderate alcohol consumption. They also examined the specific effects of the type of alcohol consumed and the pattern of drinking among the women, since information on those measures was not previously available. The women were 25 to 42 years old.

Not surprisingly, they found that heavy drinkers (1.5 to 2 drinks/every day) were at increased risk of hypertension. Light drinkers (less than one drink/day) had a modest decrease in their risk. Episodic drinkers, defined as having 10.5 drinks over 3 or fewer days/week, did not have an increased risk of high BP.

Among the heavy drinkers, the increased risk was present regardless of the specific beverage consumed - beer, wine or liquor.

Related information Lifestyle changes - Alcohol

Source:  Thadhani R, Camargo CA, Stampfer MJ, et al. Prospective study of moderate alcohol consumption and risk of hypertension in young women. Archives of Internal Medicine. March 11, 2002;162(5):569-574. (Abs.)