Blood pressure a risk for red-faced drinkers

Getting flush after a few drinks spikes chances of developing hypertension, new study finds

That uncle who turns beet red after a few beers or a couple of glasses of wine may have a far higher risk of developing high blood pressure than those who don’t drink, or that can drink without flushing crimson, a new study suggests.

Excessive drinking of any type has long been associated with raised risks of hypertension.

However, in a study published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, a team of researchers studied data from the medical records of 1,763 men (288 non-drinkers, 527 flushing drinkers, 948 non-flushing drinkers).

They were able to conclude that the higher risk incurred from drinking kicks in much earlier for drinkers who flush red than for those who don’t.

The risk of hypertension related to the weekly drinking amount by nonflushers and flushers was first analyzed and compared with the risk of hypertension among non-drinkers.

“After adjusting for age, body mass index, exercise status and smoking status, the risk of hypertension was significantly increased when flushers consumed more than four drinks per week,” said lead study author Jong Sung Kim, head of the department of family medicine at Chungnam National University School of Medicine in Daejeon, South Korea.

“In contrast, in non-flushers, the risk increased with consuming more than eight drinks per week.”

Kim added that the results indicate facial flushing after drinking may potentially serve as a marker of risk for hypertension associated with drinking, and thus allow doctors to tailor their advice about drinking alcohol and limiting weekly intake to specific patients most at risk.

There had been “no detailed research” to date, Kim said, that examined the relationship between high blood pressure risk and individuals’ responses to drinking alcohol, so more work is needed in these areas, researchers said.

Kyung Hwan Cho, president of the Korean Academy of Family Medicine, discussing the study, added that the risks associated with getting red in the face may “differ across gender, age and ethnic groups,” but that “this association persists regardless of beverage type and shows a dose-response relationship, which means excess drinking for weeks or months can increase blood pressure.”

However, the process does seem reversible, too, and Cho noted, “Many studies have reported that meaningful blood pressure reductions occur after reductions in alcohol drinking.”

‘After adjusting for age, body mass index, exercise status and smoking status, the risk of hypertension was significantly increased when flushers consumed more than four drinks per week.’ JONG SUNG KIM, Head, department of family medicine, Chungnam National University School of Medicine

JEFF J MITCHELL/GETTY IMAGES A South Korean study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research has found the risk of hypertension increases when people who turn red after drinking alcohol consume over four drinks weekly.

WAYNE CUDDINGTON/OTTAWA CITIZEN Anna Karina Tabbunar is organizing a neighbourhood block party on Dec. 3 at the Orange Art Gallery and is collecting items to auction off to raise funds to aid the typhoon victims in the Philippines.