Alcohol influence on blood pressure and stroke incidence
Journal Title: Przewodnik Lekarza - Year 2006, Vol 83, Issue 1
Abstract
In this paper probable pathogenetic mechanisms of alcohol influence on blood pressure and usefulness of reduced alcohol consumption were presented. Alcohol influence on central nervous system was recognized the best, but there is still great interest concerning potential mechanisms responsible for alcohol influence on blood pressure. This comprises influence on blood vessels, atherogenesis, coagulation, neuroendocrine system, electrolyte balance and myocardium. In many investigations strong relationship between alcohol drinking and blood pressure was observed. This relationship may be presented as J-curve which reflects hypo- or over the “press threshold” (10-20 g of alcohol in females and 20-30 g in males) hypertensive effect of alcohol. Apart from amount of alcohol also feeding habits are important in hypertension development; higher risk of hypertension results from drinking alcohol without meals. Hypertension is well-known risk factor of stroke. This is why it is important to establish potential relationship between alcohol consumption (and its influence on hypertension) and stroke incidence. It was observed that small amounts of drunken alcohol prevent from ischaemic stroke while protracted consumption of larger amounts is a risk factor of haemorrhagic stroke. In spite of preventive role of small amounts of alcohol in relation to hypertension, one must remember about potential risk of other diseases resulting from alcohol consumption, like hepatic cirrhosis, pancreatitis, neoplasms and trauma.
Authors and Affiliations
Teresa Kosicka, Hanna Kara-Perz
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP82391
- DOI -
- Views 119
- Downloads 0
Myocardial infarction - the increasing problem in young people
Myocardial infarction is a conciliation where we could observe the total occlusion of coronary vessel, supplying the specified area of heart. It usually concerns the coronary arteries previously partially occluded in t...
Coronary artery disease in hypertension
Arterial hypertension is one of the main risk factors in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). Values of blood pressure in patients with CAD and arterial hypertension should be the same as in hypertonic patie...
Nadciśnienie tętnicze – od rozpoznania do leczenia .Część II – leczenie nadciśnienia tętniczego
Leczenie nadciśnienia tętniczego obejmuje postępowanie niefarmakologiczne i stosowanie farmakoterapii. Obecnie wyróżnia się 7 głównych klas leków hipotensyjnych: diuretyki, leki blokujące receptory α-adrenergiczne, rec...
Disturbances in cerebral circulation
Disturbances in cerebral circulation, mostly cerebral ischemic stroke are significant clinical and social problems. They are caused by many factors, the most frequent are arteriosclerosis and arterial hypertension. Ath...
Infekcyjne choroby opłucnej
Choroby opłucnej są nadal istotnym problemem medycznym. Wysięk gruźliczy był w przeszłości najczęstszą patologią infekcyjną opłucnej, choć obecnie w krajach rozwiniętych ustąpił miejsca infekcjom tzw. nieswoistym. W pr...