Light to moderate alcohol consumption may reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular disease in men with hypertension, according to an article in the March 22nd issue of The Archives of Internal Medicine.

According to information in the article, previous studies have shown an inverse association between moderate alcohol consumption and mortality from cardiovascular disease, but it was unknown whether this association holds in men with hypertension.

Maciej K. Malinski, MD, and his American colleagues studied data from 14,125 male physicians who were enrolled in the Physicians' Health Study by February 1984 who reported past or current treatment for hypertension but no history of myocardial infarction, stroke, cancer, or liver disease.

The researchers investigated the relationship between alcohol consumption and all-cause mortality and mortality due to cardiovascular disease. Men in the study answered questions about alcohol consumption, cardiovascular risk factors, cholesterol, and lifestyle.

During an average follow up of 5.4 years, there were 1,018 deaths including 579 from cardiovascular disease (56.9 percent). At the beginning of the study, 17 percent of the men reported drinking alcohol rarely or never, 11 percent reported monthly alcohol use (1 to 3 drinks per month), 40 percent reported weekly alcohol use (1 to 6 drinks per week), and the remaining 32 percent reported daily alcohol use (1 or more drinks per day).

The researchers found that "Compared with nondrinkers, weekly and daily drinkers had a significantly lower risk of death of 28 percent and 27 percent. Similarly there was a reduced risk of cardiovascular mortality with increased levels of alcohol intake." They also found that compared with participants who rarely or never drank, weekly drinkers had a 39 percent lower risk of cardiovascular death, and daily drinkers had a 44 percent lower risk of cardiovascular mortality.

"In summary, this study suggests that light to moderate alcohol consumption among men with hypertension is associated with a reduction in risk of total and cardiovascular mortality," the researchers wrote. "In light of major clinical and public health problems associated with heavy drinking, recommendations regarding alcohol use must be made on an individual basis after carefully assessing cardiovascular risk profile and the risks and benefits of any changes in drinking behavior. However, patients with hypertension who are able to maintain light to moderate alcohol intake have no compelling reason to change their lifestyle and eliminate a possibly beneficial habit."