Women die more from alcohol-related hypertension, study finds

There's growing evidence that there's no safe level of alcohol for health. And for people living with hypertension—a chronic condition characterized by high blood pressure—the habit of drinking alcohol can be even more dangerous, especially when consumed excessively.

This is what a study published in July in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reveals. The study analyzed mortality from hypertension attributable to excessive alcohol consumption in the United States, focusing on gender differences. The results indicate a significant increase in alcohol-related hypertension deaths, especially among women.

The figures indicate an average annual increase of 41.5% in deaths from hypertension in the US between 2016-2017 and 2020-2021, rising from 86,396 to 122,234 deaths per year. However, what is most striking in the research is the jump in annual deaths from hypertension attributable to alcohol: from 13,941 in the first period analyzed to 21,137, an increase of 51.6%.

Another important finding of the study is that more than 60% of hypertension deaths related to excessive alcohol consumption occurred among women. And, during the periods analyzed, this type of mortality increased more among them.

For cardiologist Israel Guilharde, from the Iris Rezende Machado Municipal Hospital – Aparecida de Goiânia (HMAP), a public facility in Goiás administered by Einstein Hospital Israelita, the data demonstrate that hypertension remains a challenge and that the relationship between health and alcohol consumption needs to be rethought. "If alcohol consumption is a factor we can control, why not embrace this opportunity to transform these numbers? More than causing fear, this information should compel us to make choices that lead to a healthier future," the doctor assesses.

The harm caused by excessive alcohol consumption to hypertensive individuals is numerous. One reason is that alcohol, when consumed in excess, can "accelerate" the nervous system, causing the heart to beat faster and, consequently, causing blood vessels to constrict, raising blood pressure.

Another factor is that alcohol can directly affect blood vessels, making them less flexible, which hinders blood flow. "And for those already treating their blood pressure, it's important to know that alcohol can interfere with the action of medications, reducing their effectiveness," says Guilharde. "We also can't forget the cumulative effect: those who drink too much frequently tend to gain weight, sleep poorly, and accumulate visceral fat—all of which worsen hypertension."

Why are women more affected?

The finding that more women died from excessive alcohol consumption may be explained by a combination of factors. "Biologically, women metabolize alcohol differently, which can lead to higher blood concentrations, even with the same amount of alcohol consumed," explains the cardiologist.

Culturally, there has been a shift in consumption patterns in recent decades—women have started drinking more, a habit previously more common among men. "But the important thing is that, by recognizing these differences, we can offer more personalized and effective care, considering the individuality of their health journey," notes Israel Guilharde.

Despite having surveyed the population of the United States, the study raises an alarm about the situation in Brazil. In its sixth edition, the publication "Alcohol and the Health of Brazilians ," by the Center for Information on Health and Alcohol (Cisa) , found that, in the country, per capita alcohol consumption, measured in liters of pure alcohol per person aged 15 or over, decreased by 10.4% between 2010 (8.6 liters) and 2019 (7.7 liters), but remained above the global average – 5.7 liters in 2010 and 5.5 liters in 2019 –, according to WHO data.

Deaths exclusively attributable to alcohol are more common among Black women: in 2022, there were 3.2 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. Among white and brown women, this number was 1.4 and 2.2 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively.

Life without alcohol

The CISA survey also found that in 2022, there were 33 alcohol-attributable deaths per 100,000 inhabitants in Brazil, with 3% of these related to hypertension. Especially among people aged 55 and over, high blood pressure is indicated by the survey as one of the main causes of alcohol-attributable deaths, according to data from the SUS Information and Informatics Department (DataSUS).

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That's why people with high blood pressure need moderation—and abstinence is often the best course of action for their hearts. "For women, the ideal is no more than one drink per day; for men, a maximum of two drinks," advises the HMAP cardiologist. "Those 'special occasions' with a lot of alcohol can be a real shock to your blood pressure, in addition to causing several other problems, such as arrhythmias, which in themselves predispose to stroke ."

The WHO establishes that a standard drink contains about 10 grams of pure alcohol, which is roughly equivalent to a can (350 ml) of regular beer or a small glass (150 ml) of wine. "Ideally, alcohol consumption should be avoided or reduced whenever possible, especially in patients with difficult blood pressure control or cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease and heart failure," warns cardiologist Elzo Mattar, a member of the Hypertension Department of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology. When it comes to health, you can never be too careful.

Source: Einstein Agency

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