Relationship between alcohol consumption and control of hypertension among elderly Greeks. The Nemea primary care study.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of alcohol intake in relation to blood pressure control in treated subjects and to determine if there is a causative link between alcohol and inadequate control of hypertension.

Methods: Our study population comprised 637 elderly individuals who reside in Nemea and in four other villages located in Corinthia, Peloponnesus, of which 615 were included in the analysis. The average age was 73.5±6.15 years. A special epidemiological questionnaire was completed by each participant and the blood pressure (BP) was measured according to a predefined protocol. Odds ratios were calculated and adjusted for potential confounders.

Results: The overall prevalence of hypertension was 69.1%, 70.7% in men and 67.0% in women. In total, 11% of the hypertensives were not aware of having hypertension. Of those who were aware of having hypertension 91.0% were being treated. Among treated hypertensives 49.1% had systolic BP<140 mmHg and diastolic BP<90 mmHg. Only heavy drinking (>300 g/week) was found to be related with hypertension control.

Conclusions: Our study showed that the level of control among the elderly, in a Greek population, is positively associated with alcohol intake only for heavy drinking. The role of alcohol consumption in hypertension in the elderly needs further investigation.