section name header

Evidence summaries

Effect of Reduced Alcohol Consumption on Blood Pressure

Reducing excessive alcohol intake is effective for reducing blood pressure. Level of evidence: "A"

A systematic review and meta-analysis 1 assessing the effect of a reduction in alcohol consumption on change in blood pressure included 36 trials with 2 865 participants (2 464 men and 401 women). In people who drank 2 or fewer drinks per day, a reduction in alcohol was not associated with a significant reduction in blood pressure; however, in people who drank more than 2 drinks per day, a reduction in alcohol intake was associated with increased blood pressure reduction. Reduction in systolic blood pressure (mean difference -5.50 mmHg, 95% CI -6.70 to -4.30) and diastolic blood pressure (-3.97 mmHg, 95% CI -4.70 to -3.25) was strongest in participants who drank 6 or more drinks per day if they reduced their intake by about 50%. For the UK, the results would translate into more than 7000 inpatient hospitalisations and 678 cardiovascular deaths prevented every year.

A systematic review 2 included 4 studies with a total of 496 subjects. The mean difference (MD) in systolic blood pressure with alcohol restriction was -3.8 (95% CI -6.1 to -1.4) and the MD in diastolic blood pressure was -3.2 (95% CI -5.0 to -1.4).

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by study limitations (inadequate allocation concealment, inadequate randomization) and upgraded by clear dose-response gradient.

    References

    • Roerecke M, Kaczorowski J, Tobe SW et al. The effect of a reduction in alcohol consumption on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Public Health 2017;2(2):e108-e120.[PubMed]
    • Nicolson DJ, Dickinson HO, Campbell F, Mason JM. Lifestyle interventions or drugs for patients with essential hypertension: a systematic review. J Hypertens 2004 Nov;22(11):2043-8. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords