P6.10 ALCOHOL INTAKE IS ASSOCIATED WITH 24-HOUR AORTIC BLOOD PRESSURE IN A YOUNG HEALTHY STUDENT COHORT

Abstract

Objective: Increased brachial (bBP) and aortic blood pressure (aBP) have been linked to increased arterial stiffness and cardiovascular risk in older individuals. Literature suggests that increased alcohol intake is associated with increased BP both acutely and long term in older adults and heavy alcohol drinkers. However, the effects of alcohol intake on 24hour BP and aBP in young healthy adults remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between weekly alcohol intake and 24-hour BP in a young healthy student cohort. Methods: Forty-three (11 male, aged 24±5 yrs) healthy students were recruited. Age, height and weight were recorded and weekly alcohol intake reported via self-assessment questionnaire. 24-hour bBP and aBP were measured using the Mobil-O-Graph (IEM, Germany). Aortic BP was calculated using two calibration methods: brachial systolic and diastolic pressures (syst-cal) and mean and diastolic pressures (MAP-cal). Results: 24-hour aSBP was associated with weekly alcohol consumption, using both calibration methods (r = 0.411, syst-cal; r = 0.54, MAP-cal; both P< 0.05). In addition, 24-hour night-time aSBP (MAP-cal) was associated with weekly alcohol consumption (r = 0.39; P<0.05). Conclusion: Increased alcohol intake in young healthy students is associated with increased 24 hour and night-time aSBP. These data suggest that excessive alcohol intake at an early age could potentially increase cardiovascular risk via detrimental effects on the vascular system. Larger, longitudinal data are needed to investigate these associations further.