How good cholesterol levels change the link between alcohol and blood pressure in young but not middle-aged men

In a study of 21,301 male workers, blood pressure was significantly higher in light and heavy drinkers compared to nondrinkers across all HDL cholesterol levels in men aged 50 to 59.

• In young men aged 20 to 29, no significant difference in blood pressure was observed among nondrinkers, light drinkers, and heavy drinkers in the lowest HDL tertile.
• In the middle and highest HDL tertiles of the 20 to 29 age group, heavy drinkers exhibited significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to nondrinkers.
• The incidence of high blood pressure was significantly greater in drinkers than nondrinkers in the middle and highest HDL tertiles of young men.
• For men aged 50 to 59, light and heavy drinkers had significantly higher blood pressure than nondrinkers regardless of HDL level.
• The incidence of high blood pressure was significantly elevated in drinkers compared to nondrinkers across all HDL tertiles in the older age group.

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