Pressor effects of alcohol in normotensive and hypertensive subjects.

The effects of acute alcohol consumption and abstinence on blood pressure were studied in normal healthy subjects and in non-drinking and regularly drinking hypertensive patients. All subjects drank alcohol (1 g/kg body weight daily) for 5 days then abstained for 5 days. There was no significant difference in blood pressure in normal subjects during and after alcohol ingestion. However, in hypertensive non-drinkers both systolic and diastolic pressures when standing were significantly higher during the period of alcohol intake; supine blood pressure was not significantly higher. In hypertensive patients who drank regularly, standing and supine systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly higher during the period of drinking.