Hypertension research : official journal of the Japanese Society of HypertensionJun 27, 2009

Alcohol sensitivity, drinking habits, and high blood pressure in older adults in China

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Updated Mar 31, 2026

Abstract

In a study of 19,335 older participants, alcohol sensitivity may significantly heighten the risks associated with alcohol consumption and elevated blood pressure.

Light-to-moderate drinking in women without alcohol sensitivity was linked to lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to never drinkers.
Excessive drinking in men without alcohol sensitivity was associated with higher blood pressure and increased hypertension risk compared to nondrinkers.
Men with alcohol sensitivity experienced even greater increases in blood pressure and hypertension risk with excessive drinking.
Both alcohol sensitivity and alcohol use are connected to higher blood pressure and hypertension risk in older Chinese individuals.
Limiting alcohol intake could be an important public health recommendation for East Asians.

Simplified

Although the J-shaped association between alcohol consumption and blood pressure (BP) is well known, the effect of alcohol sensitivity on this relationship is less clear. We studied the association of alcohol sensitivity and alcohol use with BP and hypertension. This cross-sectional analysis included 19 335 older participants from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study recruited from 2003 to 2006, using clinically measured BP and self-reported alcohol use and alcohol sensitivity. Alcohol use was rare in women, in whom light-to-moderate drinkers (<140 g ethanol per week) without alcohol sensitivity had lower systolic and diastolic BPs (mean difference 5.3 (95% CI 3.8-6.9) mm Hg and 1.9 (1.1-2.7) mm Hg, respectively) and a reduced risk of hypertension (0.62 (0.53-0.72)) relative to never drinkers. Similarly, excessive drinkers (>or=140 g ethanol per week) without alcohol sensitivity had a significantly higher systolic and diastolic BP and risk of hypertension than did nondrinkers (mean difference 5.1 (2.8-7.4) mm Hg, 2.7 (1.5-4.0) mm Hg and 34% (8-66%), respectively, for men). These differences were even greater for men with alcohol sensitivity (mean differences 12.0 (8.9-15.2) mm Hg, 6.2 (4.5-7.9) mm Hg and 95% CI (46-159%), respectively). Alcohol sensitivity and alcohol use were both associated with elevated BP and risk of hypertension in an older Chinese population. Alcohol sensitivity may aggravate the effect of drinking on BP. Limiting alcohol use to two drinks per day for men and one drink a day for women may be suitable for East Asians. Reduction of alcohol consumption should be an important public health target.

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Alcohol sensitivity, drinking habits, and high blood pressure in older adults in China

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