The combined effect of regular alcohol consumption and smoking on blood pressure and on the achievement of blood pressure target values in treated hypertensive patients

Introduction: The combined effect of alcohol consumption and smoking on hypertension in hypertensive patients is still not completely clear, although both are known to be cardiovascular risk factors. Aim: The aim of our study was to compare the blood pressure, the achievement of target blood pressure and heart rate of non-smokers and non-drinkers in the middle-aged hypertensive patients with those who smoke and drink regularly. Method: From the database of the Hungarian Hypertension Registry, 12 615 patients (6341 men and 6274 women) aged 45-64 years were included in the current analysis, who self-reported smoking habit and alcohol consumption. Results: The mean age of the patients was 55.8 +/- 5.7 years (males) and 56.1 +/- 5.5 years (females). The percentage of regular smokers was 40.8% and 27.2% among men and women, respectively. 38.1% of males and 12.5% of females were regular alcohol drinkers. The ratio of patients reaching goal blood pressure values was higher in all investigated groups of females than males (p<0.001). Regular smokers and drinkers have lower percentage of reaching goal blood pressure values: 31.1% versus 46.6% in males (p<0.001) and 41.1% versus 49.8% in females (p<0.01), respectively. The average of pulse rate was higher in patients who are smokers and regular drinkers. Conclusion: Regular alcohol consumption and smoking decrease the chance of reaching blood pressure goal values in middle-aged, treated hypertensive patients.