Chinese Study Links Alcohol, Hypertension

Chinese men who had more than 30 alcoholic drinks per week were twice as likely to have high blood pressure as those who didn't drink, according to researchers.

Forbes reported April 22 that the study led by epidemiologist Rachel Wildman of Tulane University included 5,300 men ages 35-74.

"The majority of previous research has been based on Western populations, and data from other cardiovascular risk factors has suggested that Western and Asian populations do not necessarily respond identically to every risk factor," said Wildman. "Heart disease is the leading killer of adults in China today. Limiting alcohol intake has to be a part of efforts to prevent and manage high blood pressure in China."

The study appears in the April issue of the Journal of Hypertension.